VIC: Vic govt and Oppn give differing views of ABS tax figures

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-1998
VIC: Vic govt and Oppn give differing views of ABS tax figures

MELBOURNE, Dec 9 AAP - The Victorian government and Opposition today gave greatly differing
interpretations of new Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures on the states tax
levels.

Treasurer Alan Stockdale said the ABS figures, released today, showed Victoria was the only
state to reduce taxes during 1997-98 and that Victorian taxes were now well below those of New
South Wales.

"Victorias taxation level as a percentage of gross state product is also now below the
national average, 6.94 per cent compared with 7.01 per cent."

He said since 1997-98, Victorias taxes had fallen $132 million.

But Labor treasury spokesman Steve Bracks said the ABS figures showed that ordinary
Victorians were paying about four per cent more in taxes than the national average.

"Alarmingly, these statistics do not take into account the raft of hidden Kennett
government taxes," Mr Bracks said in a statement.

"The reality is that under this government, ordinary Victorians are being taxed from the
cradle to the grave."

AAP gf/er/kr

KEYWORD: TAXES VIC

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