The Opposition has condemned the Minns Labor Government’s decision to hike rent on local community businesses, labelling it a shameful money grab that will endanger the viability of many local clubs.
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said this was a thinly veiled attempt to drive community clubs from public land to fulfil the Labor Government’s land privatisation agenda.
“Community clubs play a vital local role – they provide a great place to socialise, learn and spend time for families, kids, and senior members of the community. The result will be these clubs shutting their doors. Which will be hugely damaging to communities right across NSW,” Mr Speakman said.
“The Government has had a $14 billion tax windfall. It seems incapable of managing the budget without raiding local community clubs.”
When in government the Liberals and Nationals charged rent at a reasonable rate indexed to CPI. Since coming to office, the Labor Government have undertaken a ‘redetermination of rents’ and a number of businesses have had their rents hiked by over 300%.
Member for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane welcomed the Leader of the Opposition to the Bondi Bowling Club to hear firsthand from concerned locals.
“The Minns Government has been sending notices to local clubs, like this one, on crown land that their rents are going to increase by as much as five times,” Ms Sloane said.
“In the current cost of living crisis, these dramatic rent increases will only lead to the service cuts higher costs and may even lead to job losses.”
The Opposition will stand with community clubs and fight against this shameful money grab.
“Chris Minns needs to come out today and reassure the local communities across NSW that these drastic tax raises will be scaled back, and that he will stop trying to rob community clubs to pay unions,” Mr Speakman concluded.
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