Most Victorians support the abolition of the old Fire Services Levy (FSL) on insurance premiums and its replacement with a property-based charge.
Making the non-insured contribute to the cost of running our fire services is fair.
However, for this change to work, insurers must pass the full benefit of abolishing the FSL back to consumers in the form of lower premiums.
Victorians will be worse off if we have to start paying a new tax on our rates, and our insurance premiums do not come down.
The Baillieu government has bungled this change by introducing the new tax without properly ensuring that the former FSL was abolished.
At a time when the cost of living for households continues to rise, the Baillieu government must ensure that Victorians are not slugged with additional costs.
Many local residents have contacted me to voice their concerns about a dramatic rise in their FSL payments on their most recent insurance bills.
Others are concerned that they may be charged twice once on their insurance premium and then again on their local government rates in the same financial year.
I have listened to this concern and asked a question in Parliament about the steps taken by the government to make sure people are not charged twice.
Worryingly, the Treasurer hasn't answered this question.
Please contact me with your concerns about the Fire Services Levy or property based tax on 5331 1003 or at Sharon.Knight@parliament.vic.gov.au
SHARON KNIGHT
Ballarat West MLA