The State Liberals have committed to reversing the Weatherill Government’s savage increases to the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) if elected to government in 2018.

The Weatherill Labor Government’s massive increases to the ESL tax has hit homeowners, farmers, businesses, sporting clubs, community organisations, churches and independent schools.

“The State Liberals have staunchly opposed the Weatherill Government’s massive increase to the ESL, and that’s why our first act if elected in 2018 will be to reverse this $90 million tax grab,” said Liberal Member for Hammond, Adrian Pederick.

“Farmers and CFS volunteers in the region have been hit particularly hard with these massive ESL increases and our commitment to reversing them will be welcome relief.

“This massive tax cut will also have a positive flow-on effect for the local economy by boosting business confidence and job creation.

“South Australians living in Hammond are already struggling with ever-increasing cost of living pressures under Labor, and our tax cut will provide significant cost of living relief.

“For example, for owners of a home worth $450,000, the State Liberals commitment to restore the remission on the ESL will deliver an annual $168 tax cut. This amounts to a $672 tax cut over the life of the Government.”

The State Liberals’ ESL commitment will be paid for through existing policies already announced to create efficiencies in the public sector.

“The policy we took to the 2014 election would save more than the cost of reinstating the remissions to the ESL,” said Adrian.

“We will continue to have more to say on tax reform and tax relief in the lead up to the 2018 election to help all South Australians struggling under the burden of the Weatherill Labor Government’s exorbitant tax regime.”