Dismay as Feds not for moving

Taxpayers hit hard by rise in levy

THE average working family on $120,000 a year will lose another $600 when the Turnbull Government jacks up the Medicare levy from 2019.

As Labor weighs up supporting the tax increase, figures show the rise in the levy from 2 to 2.5 per cent will cost a family on $200,000 an extra $1000 a year.

The numbers, which Treasurer Scott Morrison’s office had refused to provide during Tuesday’s Budget lockup, show a low-income worker on $40,000 will pay $1000 under the revised levy, up from $800.

But Mr Morrison argued yesterday that Australians had “big hearts” and would happily pay up to provide funding certainty for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. THE Federal Government decision to rule out relocating the federal tourism department to the Gold Coast has left council disappointed.

Acting Mayor Donna Gates said the entire Federal Budget lacked when it came to tourism but losing out on moving the department to the Gold Coast was the biggest blow.

Federal Tourism Minister Steven Ciobo said the proposed move was too expensive.

But council will continue to press to get at least part of the tourism sector based on the Gold Coast. “We will continue to push for the relocation for a federal department into the CBD,” Cr Gates said.

“We really want to push for additional employment opportunities in the CBD.”