THE new 7.5 per cent tax on short stay accommodation being introduced by Andrews Labor Government could raise weekend getaway costs by over $100, a move criticised by Nationals Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe.
She warns that the “Holiday and Tourism Tax” could negatively impact regional economies reliant on tourism. “This new tax means the cost to access services and medical care in metropolitan areas could be considerably more expensive,” she said.
O’Keeffe also voiced concerns about the potential negative effect on Victoria’s appeal as a tourist destination and its housing affordability crisis. She urged the government to reconsider the policy.
