The corporate sector will hope that the resignation of longstanding Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews might spark a reset in the antagonistic relationship that has developed with the Victorian government since the arrival of the pandemic.
It was ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott who in July summed up the frustrations of many in the business community when he In May, the Victorian budget announced $4 billion of payroll tax increases, to help repay the state’s COVID debt. This came on top of a staggering 42 per cent rise in WorkCover premiums, and just two years after the introduction of a $3 billion levy to fund a big increase to spending on mental health was also announced for large companies.
“The COVID debt levy is targeted at those with the greatest ability to pay,” Pallas said. “We think big business has the ability to pay a modest, additional tax.”