Tax cuts supported

The reduction in payroll tax paid by regional businesses got ticks from two major groups that advocate the needs of Gippsland.

The Committee for Gippsland and Regional Partnerships Gippsland said the further payroll tax deduction to one-quarter the rate paid by metropolitan business by 2022-2023 would encourage regional firms to expand and create more jobs.

C4G chair Toni Wakefield said the state budget also lifted the payroll tax-free threshold and relaxed eligibility for the regional rate, actions the committee had advocated for strongly.

The government will also expand the payroll tax exemption on parental leave.

Another initiative that Ms Wakefield said she hoped would be a further incentive for businesses to relocate to regions was a 10 per cent land transfer duty concession on commercial and industrial properties to take effect from July 1 this year.

Regional Partnerships Gippsland chair Maree McPherson said there were several important investments in the budget that matched the organisation’s priorities.

These included further expansion of Latrobe Regional Hospital, free public wifi access in areas of the Latrobe Valley, a new coastal park for Bass Coast and school upgrades.

Ms Wakefield also highlighted the budget’s road funding.

Across Gippsland that included work on the Hyland Highway, South Gippsland Highway, Monaro Highway, the main corridor to Phillip Island and Princes Highway east of Sale.