End of the low tax state
The average Queensland family will have to find an extra $1500 a year just to pay the bills as a result of Bligh Labor Government decisions taking effect from today (Wednesday 1 July 2009).
State Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek said the start of the new financial year heralded a raft of cost of living increases largely brought on by Labor’s economic failures.
“From today, Queenslanders will be paying more every time they turn on a tap, flick on the lights, fill up or register their car, or go to the supermarket,” he said.
“While the impacts will vary, an average Queensland family will pay an extra $250 a year for electricity, an extra $200 – 300 a year to fill up the car and an extra $50 – 80 a year to register a car.
“The fuel tax will be a double whammy for Queenslanders, pushing up prices at the pump and at the supermarket.
“Rural group Agforce predicts the new fuel tax will push up food prices by as much as 20 per cent, meaning an increase of at least $80 on the monthly grocery bill, or nearly $1000 a year.”
Shadow Treasurer Tim Nicholls said Queensland would become “hell on wheels” for motorists.
“The 9.2 cents a litre rise in petrol prices because of the fuel tax and the increase in vehicle registration charges will make Queensland the most expensive state in Australia to own and run a car,” he said.
“To add insult to injury, toll increases are being applied on the Gateway and Logan Motorways, including a ‘catch up levy’ with these assets being set up for Labor’s fire sale.
“This all comes as the Auditor-General’s transport report clearly shows taxpayers’ money is being wasted through a lack of co-ordination between departments responsible for building and running the road network.
“Motorists throughout Queensland will no doubt experience a new form of road rage as they realise they are paying more but sitting in traffic longer.”
Mr Langbroek said Queensland had been known as the low tax state for decades but the Bligh Labor Government was transforming Queensland into the high tax state.
“Queenslanders are now paying the price of 11 years of Labor mismanagement and squandered opportunity,” he said.
“As Queenslanders watch their bank balances deplete even further when they are paying higher bills this financial year, they should remember it is because of Anna Bligh and her Labor Government’s economic incompetence.”