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The Moorabool News – 21 June, 2022 Page 5
A fair go for ratepayers? By Lachlan Ellis New legislation has come before the State Parliament which the Andrews Government has promoted as “giving ratepayers a fair go” – but some in local government have raised suspicions at the timing of the bill. The ‘Local Government Amendment (Rating Reform and Other Matters) Bill 2022’ will limit how councils can pursue ratepayer debts, including a ban on the use of debt collectors or legal action, “unless ratepayers refuse to engage, and all other options have been exhausted”. It will also allow the Minister for Local Government, in consultation with the Essential Services Commission (ESC), to set a maximum amount of interest levied on unpaid rates and charges. In a statement, Minister Shaun Leane said the State Government “know that many Victorians are doing it tough and that’s why we are working to reform the rating system”. “Good hardship relief schemes strike a balance where the rate burden is shared while ensuring people in hardship are not driven further into debt or out of their homes,” Mr Leane said. Moorabool Shire Council CEO Derek Madden said the changes proposed by the Amendment were still being investigated by Council, but it seemed the changes were broadly in line with how Council has dealt with ratepayer debt during the pandemic.
This triple dipping across three tax agencies is the root of the problem. - Cr Tatchell “Council has always offered payment plans to support our community to meet their financial obligations, and throughout the pandemic, we withheld interest payments on principal places of residence where required,” Mr Madden told the Moorabool News. “Like many other councils, Moorabool Shire only pursue legal action as a last resort to recovering outstanding rates. The proposed changes therefore closely align with our current debt collection practices.” Though he “welcomes any changes to legislation that result in consistency and equity for all ratepayers”, Mr Madden drew attention to the timing of the bill’s introduction, less than six months out from a state election. “As a principle, Council supports legislation that leads to positive outcomes for all ratepayers, but does not support the politicising of financial hardship policies in the lead-up to a state election, when the vast majority of Victorian councils worked very diligently to help their communities during the pandemic,” he said.
“The recent pandemic provided numerous examples of Victorian councils working with their communities in a respectful and compassionate manner to navigate the uncertainties and financial challenges posed by the recent pandemic. It is important to note that many of these challenges that came about were largely the result of State Government policy, mandates, and extended lockdowns.” Central Ward Councillor Paul Tatchell, a long-time proponent of rates reform and reining in of taxes, said the State Government’s pledge to give ratepayers a fair go was “all spin”. “It doesn’t address the actual problem, that we’re taxing people into debt. People pay income tax, then they pay the State Government for its services, and then they pay local government. This triple dipping across three tax agencies is the root of the problem,” Cr Tatchell said. “When are we going to have the discussion about what’s fair and reasonable to charge people? This announcement from the State Government is just a grandiose headline to pluck a few votes.” The first reading of the bill passed in the Legislative Assembly (lower house) on 7 June, and the second reading was moved on 8 June. The final clause of the bill states that it will be repealed on 20 June 2024.
Small acts make a big impact. Planning weekday dinners saves you money and reduces the amount of food going to waste. Find your small act today at sustainability.vic.gov.au/small-acts-big-impact
Co-Ordinator of The Neighbours' Place Jackie Tabone cannot understand why someone would attempt to break into their premises. Photo – Lachlan Ellis
Food bank break-in
By Lachlan Ellis A local food bank was the victim of a heartless break-in last week, with damage to the building to put the not-for-profit out of pocket. The Neighbours’ Place at 77 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh provides vulnerable locals with emergency food relief and no-interest loans. On Tuesday 14 June, The Neighbours’ Place was broken into, and while nothing major was stolen, damage to the building’s locks will cut into funds intended to help those in need. Jackie Tabone is Co-Ordinator of The Neighbours' Place and said she can’t understand why the break-in was necessary. “It must have happened on Tuesday night, they haven’t made a big mess, but they’ve pulled all the locks and hinges off from the annexe and from the back sheds, and rummaged through the sheds but not taken anything,” Ms Tabone told the Moorabool News. “I opened the gate on Wednesday morning and went ‘oh, gosh, everything is all wide open’. Finding new locks and having them put on the doors, that’s an added expense for us.” You’d understand her being angry, but Ms Tabone expressed sympathy for the culprit or culprits, and said if it was food they were after, to come in when the food bank is open. “I don’t know what they were looking for, if they were looking for food, I hope they have enough. We are a food bank at the end of the day, we’re here to help the community…instead of breaking in, come in on a day we’re open and we’re here to help,” she said. If you have information about the break-in at The Neighbours’ Place, you can call Bacchus Marsh Police Station on 5366 4500, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The Neighbours’ Place is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.
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