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tourism small business | October 17, 2024

Cheaper holidays with the Nationals in government

Victorians will enjoy more affordable holidays and regional businesses will flourish under a commitment by The Nationals to axe Labor’s Holiday and Tourism Tax in government.

The Allan Labor Government last month announced it would introduce a 7.5 per cent tax on short-stay accommodation providers – its 55th new or increased tax in the past 10 years.

The tax is in addition to the GST already payable on short-term accommodation bookings.

Member for Lowan and Deputy Leader of The Nationals, Emma Kealy, said the tax was an attack on local small businesses and would have significant impacts on the region’s tourism sector.

“Airbnbs and other short-stay accommodation options are vital to our local economies, and help to bring visitors and workers to our region,” she said.

“More visitors mean more support for our local hospitality businesses and our retail sector, many of which are struggling to keep their doors open due to Labor’s increasing taxes and the growing costs of doing business in Victoria.

“This tax is an attack on these businesses – which are normally operated by women – and the jobs these small-scale tourism operators create.

“Labor cannot manage money and regional Victorians are paying the price.

“Labor is desperate to fill its budget black hole by charging Victorians to go on a holiday, but regional businesses and Victorians simply hoping to enjoy a weekend away shouldn’t be the ones to pay for Labor’s financial mismanagement.

“A Victorian Liberal and Nationals Government will scrap this tax in the first parliamentary sitting week after the November 2026 Victorian election.”