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Opinion: Land tax lashes

Paul Green, BrentwoodCanning Gazette

I WOULD describe myself as semi-retired and self-funded. I worked hard, paid my taxes, invested my savings in a rental property and live off the rent along with some part time work. I don’t receive any government benefits.

From 2010-11, the weekly rent on this single rental house has increased by 14.3 per cent. Over the same period the annual service charges from the Water Corporation have increased by 26.8 per cent and the Council rates and charges from the City of Canning have increased by 36.67 per cent.

But land tax? Since 2010-11 the bill I get from the Office of State Revenue for Land Tax and Metropolitan Region Improvement Tax has increased by 2952.17 per cent. That is a who lot of numbers, it’s not a misprint, and I checked the figures more than twice!

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That is a 2952 per cent increase in the last six years.

Every year now my land tax bill on that one house is costing more than the amount I paid for the old Falcon station wagon I drive, and would be enough for me to take my wife on that overseas holiday that she has not had in more than 10 years.

I live in Mike Nahan’s electorate and have always voted for the Liberals, but what I really want to know now is how do I get to vote for Brendon Grylls, or any decent independent, to be our next Premier.

I don’t mind paying my share, but a 2952.17 per cent increase in my land tax in six years seems quite unreasonable when neither the Libs nor Labor has made the mining companies pay a cent more on selling our Commonwealth resources in 50 years.

PAUL GREEN,

Brentwood.