Mr BAYLEY question to TREASURER, Mr ABETZ
At the 2024 state election, the government announced a policy to expand the stamp duty discount for first‑home buyers and simultaneously promised this measure would be largely paid for by introducing a levy on short‑stay accommodation. In September last year, the Greens asked for an update on the levy. The minister, Mr Ellis, told us that work was under way and the levy was, ‘Actually really important because the revenue for this is committed to stamping out stamp duty.’
After handing down the Budget last week, your first press conference was promoting the results of your stamp duty policy. Still, the short‑stay levy is nowhere to be seen and it’s not listed in the Budget papers. Can you confirm the government has abandoned its short‑stay levy policy? If so, why have you sacrificed $44 million in income when the budget is in such crisis?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, sorry to disappoint the Deputy Leader of the Greens, but I can’t confirm that. In fact, it is still government policy and we have every expectation that it will be operational, subject to the parliament, as of 1 July 2026.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Mr BAYLEY – A supplementary question, if I may.
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Mr BAYLEY – You’re confirming that you haven’t abandoned the short‑stay levy policy, but it’s just not implemented, is that correct? When will it be implemented, if that is the case?
Mr ABETZ – This is one of the problems when you have a supplementary question prepared without listening to the answer. I indicated:
- It is still government policy; and
- Subject to the parliament approving it, we have every expectation it will commence as of 1 July 2026.
