QUEENSLAND PARTY CALLS FOR STAMP DUTY EXEMPTION FOR DISASTER VICTIMS

The Queensland Party Candidates for Far North Queensland have called for an exemption from the government’s new increased stamp duty charges for victims of the recent Cyclone Yasi and flood events, who have been forced to rebuild or move, due to the disasters.

Queensland Party Candidate for Cairns, Darren Hunt, said “People of the Far North are still struggling with the impacts of recent natural disasters. Why on earth would we be slugging people with extra taxes, which were supposed to be phased out with the introduction of the GST, at a time when they are still struggling to come to terms with what happened to them? We still have people living in temporary accommodation. Where is this government’s consideration for those people? Where is their compassion? That is why the Queensland Party is proposing that all victims of the recent natural disasters forced to rebuild or move are exempt from these stamp duty rises.”

Queensland Party Candidate for Mulgrave, Brendan Fitzgerald, said “There are many people in the electorate of Mulgrave still feeling the effects of Cyclone Yasi. People have had their homes and their livelihoods destroyed. To think they are going to get slugged with huge stamp duty increases because they have to move or rebuild, for something out of their control, is outrageous. If this government ended the horrific waste we wouldn’t need to increase these taxes. Instead of spending our money like drunken sailors on worthless projects, let’s look after the people in our community who need it the most.”

Queensland Party Candidate for Barron River, Wendy Richardson said “The Queensland Party is the only political party with a genuine conscience and the social responsibility to stand up for the people doing it tough. There are people who emotionally and mentally can’t stand the thought of going through that type of event again and have decided to move. To put further strain on these people could push them over the edge and that is unacceptable. ”

Mr Hunt stated “The other parties are more interested in getting their photo taken and swanning about, instead of taking real steps to help Queenslanders impacted by these disasters. The Queensland Party is the only party prepared to stand up for battlers and that is why we will be fighting to get an exemption for these people in their time of need.”