Council
31 July, 2025
Refunds prompt warning to check bills
A SOUTH west MP has called for a formal investigation after securing more than $120,000 in land tax exemptions for constituents.
Lowan MP Emma Kealy said her office had discovered several flawed land tax assessments across the region.
She called for an investigation after finding errors in the resident’s land tax assessments including incorrect land classifications and relevant exemptions not being applied for primary production land and not-for-profit uses.
Ms Kealy said she and her team had been successful in helping constituents seek more than $120,000 in exemptions and refunds for incorrect assessments.
“So many in our communities are doing it tough with the rising cost of living, difficult seasonal conditions, and Labor’s ever-increasing taxes,” she said.
“The last thing they need is to be lumped with a land tax bill that demands they pay tens of thousands of dollars more than they owe, yet that’s exactly what is happening.”
As Western District Newspapers reported earlier this month, Ms Kealy said one resident had received an almost $100,000 refund as their land had been incorrectly classified.
“In one case, a resident had been overlooked for a primary production exemption for five years for land they were share farming,” she said.
“My office was able to secure a refund of almost $100,000.
“This is money that should never have left the resident’s pocket in the first place.
“It is an incredibly costly error by the State Revenue Office, and who knows how many other locals are in the same situation.”
Ms Kealy said an investigation was needed to ensure Victorians are only paying their fair share.
“These errors are further proof that Labor can’t be trusted to manage money, and our communities are paying the price.
“We need a formal investigation into land tax assessments to ensure that hard-working Victorians don’t continue to be unfairly slugged by Labor’s shoddy system.”
Ms Kealy encouraged anyone who believed they should be eligible for a land tax exemption to contact her office on 5382 0097 or email emma.kealy@parliament.vic.gov.au.
She said information about exemption categories was available at https://sro.vic.gov.au/land-tax/land-tax-exemptions.
Read More: local