A RAFT of new taxes, increased fees and charges have come into effect as of January 1, 2024, under the State Government.

The opposition has rung in the new year by reminding Victorians that they already pay the highest taxes of any state in Australia - more than $5000 per person - thanks to 53 new or increased taxes and charges since Labor came to office in 2014.

 The range of increased taxes, fees and charges includes:

 •           Public transport fares up 6 per cent

•            Citylink tolls up 1.08 per cent

•            New $500 fixed land tax charge on properties valued $50,000 to $100,000

•            New $975 fixed land charge on properties valued $100,000 to $300,000

•            Increased land tax rate on properties valued above $300,000 - up 1 per cent

•            Absentee owner surcharge increase - rate up from 2 per cent to 4 per cent

•            15 per cent increase to Ports Victoria fees at Port of Melbourne and Port of Hastings

•            Certificates of electrical safety increase by up to 12.4 per cent

•            Up to 52 per cent increase in Terminal Access Charges for full containers through the Port of Melbourne

 Shadow treasurer, Brad Rowswell, said “Jacinta Allan’s new and increased taxes, charges and fees couldn’t come at a worse time for Victorians already experiencing a cost-of-living crisis”.

 “Under Labor, Victoria is broke and once again hardworking Victorians are being punished for the Allan Government’s incompetence with higher taxes, charges and fees,” he said.

 “Whether its taxes on property, land, rent, jobs, health or schools, Labor continues to increase taxes to pay for its record $178 billion debt and $38 billion in blowouts on major projects.”