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Sport and Recreation | September 19, 2018

Protecting sporting clubs from Labor’s tax grabs

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has tabled a petition in Parliament sending a clear message to Labor that any legislative changes that would have a negative financial impact on country sporting clubs are unacceptable.

Late last year the Liberal and Nationals voted against Labor proposal to narrow the exemption that protects sporting clubs from being charged land tax, defeating the proposed changes.

If successful, the change would have seen clubhouses often used to host non-sporting functions such as birthdays, wedding receptions and conferences subject to land tax for the first time.

“The Liberals and Nationals understand that forcing sporting clubs to pay land tax on clubhouses would have a devastating financial effect, with some facing potential closure,” Ms Kealy said.

“The Liberals and Nationals stood up to protect community sport, successfully defeating Labor’s proposed changes.

“Our country sporting clubs are missing out badly under Daniel Andrews, the Premier for Melbourne who is offering loans, with interest, to grassroots sports clubs while handing a $225 million free kick to the AFL to renovate Etihad Stadium.

“If elected in November, The Nationals will redirect the funds Daniel Andrews is proposing to spend on Etihad Stadium and use them to support our country sporting clubs, benefiting hundreds of thousands of Victorians and ensuring the future wellbeing of local communities.

“I am proud to be a part of a Liberal Nationals team that is determined to deliver a better deal for our local sporting clubs which are critical to the social fabric of our country communities,” she said.