NO.021

QUEENSLAND MUST CUT STATE TAXES

Queensland has benefited more than any other state from the

introduction of GST.

Over the last three years, Queensland has already received a

$1.3 billion windfall in GST revenue. It has so far refused to

use this windfall to cut state taxes.

Over the next four years, Queensland will receive a $3.3

billion windfall from GST.

Queensland has the clear capacity to abolish the states taxes

it agreed to abolish in 1999 in an agreement signed by Premier

Beattie.

As well, it can also cut land taxes out of the spiralling land

tax windfalls it has received since 1999.

It is highly suspicious that Mr Mackenroth, who this morning

was quoted as saying he didn’t feel any pressure to cut state

taxes, suddenly remembered this afternoon that he had a plan to

cut land tax.

The public is entitled to know what the new rates and

thresholds for land tax will be and to hold the Queensland

Government accountable for this new promise.

21 March 2005

MELBOURNE

Contact: Jonathan Epstein

03 9650 0244