The Napthine Government needs to immediately review
its botched Fire Services tax which has seen some property owners charged
double and insurance companies wrongly charging past the July 1 introduction
date, Member for Western Victoria, Ms Pulford said today.

Ms Pulford said the Fire Services Levy Monitor needs to have his powers extended to be able to investigate problems with the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL).

In addition, the Fire Services Levy Monitor needs new and substantial powers to monitor beyond the transition stage of this tax’s introduction in order to stop insurance companies profiteering.

  “The Napthine Government’s claims of a ‘fairer, simpler’ fire services property levy
are false. It is neither fair, nor simple and even Liberal and National Party
MPs who voted in favour of this tax are confused and complaining about it
behind closed doors,” Ms Pulford said.

 “Treasurer Michael O’Brien claimed in May this year that households would save about 20
per cent on the introduction of the FSPL, the reality is some are paying more
than double.

“Insurance premiums have increased by as much as 55 per cent in the past six months despite the removal of the FSL and the Napthine Government needs to explain why.”

 Ms Pulford said the FOI documents reveal the true impact of the Napthine Government’s Fire Services tax with many households and business being charged more and insurance companies still charging clients after the July 1 FSPL start date.

Ms Pulford said correspondence from Liberal Party members to Members of the Napthine Government warned ‘it will look bad for the Government if Mitchell et al get on to it’
and “the media will take great delight in expanding on this issue as the months go on as it will be an easy double header for the media…..bagging both Government and Insurance Companies…’

 “The FSPL has been botched and the blame sits squarely at the feet of Denis Napthine and
Michael O’Brien,” Ms Pulford said.

“Land owners are likely to be hit again as Councils look to recoup the tens of thousands of dollars it costs them to collect the Napthine Government tax.”