10 hours ago
'Back to the drawing board': ACT Greens won't support proposed health levy
Labor's budget plans have been thrown into doubt with the ACT Greens announcing they will not support a key proposed revenue-raising measure.
ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury said his party would not support the proposed $250 health levy for all ratepayers which he called an "unfair and regressive tax".
The proposed levy is expected to raise about $50 million per year for four years.
The government is in minority and Labor needs either the support of the Liberals or the Greens to pass budget items through the Legislative Assembly.
ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said the levy was unfair and the budget "missed the mark".
"A flat levy does not take into account a person's ability to pay and does not reflect the type of city we want to build," he said.
Mr Rattenbury said there was definitely a need to raise revenue to be able to pay for services — especially healthcare — but the levy would have a negative impact upon health.
Mr Rattenbury said his party would try to be constructive.
"We hope to negotiate with the Labor Party on the budget."
Mr Rattenbury said the Greens' proposed Big Corporations Tax was a fairer way to raise government revenue.
Under the idea, a new, higher tax threshold would be introduced for big corporations like supermarkets, banks and airlines.
Mr Rattenbury also said the Greens would oppose the $8 million subsidy for the horseracing industry included in the budget.
