Taxed Out eyes

A GROUP formed to rally against a controversial land tax will target Labor politicians, including Tammy Lobato and Johan Scheffer, at the next State Election.
Taxed Out chairman Michael Hocking said the group would put up a number of candidates because it was dissatisfied with the Labor Party’s handling of the proposed Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) scheme. “We’re going to be running candidates in all growth areas and marginal seats,” he said.
“When you take people’s life savings, you have no other alternative.”
The group met recently at Oakwood Riding School in Clyde, where many donated $500 to $1000 towards an advertising campaign.
“We are now going to do some (media) advertising to make this a little more public,” Mr Hocking said.
Under the scheme, properties brought into the Urban Growth Boundary (UBG) in 2009 would be subject to a levy of $95,000 per hectare.
The charge is levied at the point of sale. Mr Hocking said this was unfair and something the group was strongly against.
“To have it triggered when development approval is granted, we have no objection to that,” he said.
“That’s fair and is how it’s applied in other states of Australia.”
Taxed Out held meetings at Melton and Woodstock recently. Mr Hocking said the legislation was expected to be presented to parliament in the next few weeks. For more information visit www.taxedout.com.au