Valuation back down vindicates LNP’s view

The Bligh Labor Government’s spectacular back down on new land valuation laws is welcome but wouldn’t have been necessary if they had listened to the LNP’s suggestions and also consulted with industry properly in the first place.

State Opposition and LNP Leader John-Paul Langbroek said the LNP had voiced its opposition to the laws as they were drafted and had called on the Bligh Labor Government to go back to the drawing board.

“Labor’s original laws could have seen land tax increases of between 20 and 40 per cent, which would cost jobs, threaten businesses’ viability and hurt mum and dad investors,” he said.

“The Bligh Labor Government botched these valuation laws from the start because all they were after was a quick tax grab to plug their Budget black hole.

 “In effect it was a sneaky new tax.

“Once they finally did the consultation that should have been done before introducing these laws, the Bligh Labor Government seems to have finally realised their proposed valuation changes could have been disastrous for jobs and business in Queensland.

“The LNP was saying weeks ago that any changes to the way land is valued must provide certainty for industry while at the same time ensuring a fair contribution is made to meet the costs of growth in Queensland.

“While this back down is welcome, we will be closely scrutinising the alternative laws the Government is proposing to introduce later this year to ensure it does deliver the fair, viable and consistent valuation system Queensland needs.”