LNP Tax Hikes Hit Cost of Living

First published in the Logan Reporter on November 21, 2014.

Prime Minister Abbott promised to be part of the solution to cost of living pressures in our community but unfortunately he’s turned out to be a really big part of the problem.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the Coalition Government increased the fuel excise, which means that local families will pay more every time they fill up the car. What’s more, this tax will now continue to increase every six months.

While the average Australians could pay $135 more for petrol every year, the cost for those living outside the inner city, like people in our community in Logan, will be even greater.

What makes this hit on cost of living particularly bad is that it could be accompanied by increases in other taxes as well.

Multiple newspapers have recently reported that the Prime Minister has met with key independent senators, drumming up support for an increase in the GST, and a broadening of the types of things that could be taxed.

The $80 billion cut to schools and hospitals in the budget was designed partially to starve the states of important funding, so that they would have no choice but to support an increase in the GST.

The GST is a tax which hits poorer people harder than wealthier Australians.

That’s why I will continue to oppose increases to the GST and other tax measures which will hurt cost of living for local families.

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