Vic: Battlers set to be slugged even harder by GST: Crean

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-1999
Vic: Battlers set to be slugged even harder by GST: Crean

The federal opposition has warned that Australian battlers are set to be slugged even
harder by the GST.

Opposition treasury spokesman SIMON CREAN says the Labor Party has always said the
government is hiding the real impact of the GST.

The Australian newspaper reports the government's own prices watchdog is expected to
release information showing the GST will push up prices more than the government has indicated.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has calculated the GST will
affect accommodation, cafes and restaurants by 8.2 per cent.

In its election material, the government claims the GST would result in a 6.7 per cent
rise in the cost of accommodation, cafes and restaurants.

The GST will be set at 10 per cent but prices rises are expected to be less because
of removal of other taxes and the reduced cost of inputs such as transport.

Mr CREAN says the government's deceit was unraveling day-by-day.

AAP RTV st/rat

KEYWORD: TAX CREAN (MELBOURNE)

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