WA: Govt says no reprise of premium property tax in budget

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WA: Govt says no reprise of premium property tax in budget

PERTH, April 8 AAP - The West Australian government today said it would not reviveits proposed premium property tax in the upcoming state budget.

The proposal was howled down last year after widespread community concerns.

Weekend media reports said the government was considering reviving its idea of a twoper cent annual premium land tax on land valued at more than $1 million.

The planned tax, which would have netted about $10 million a year from about 900 properties,was scrapped after community backlash.

The Sunday Times said the government was looking at remodelling the property tax totarget those who sold their homes for $1 million or more.

WA Treasurer Eric Ripper today said the government would not introduce a premium propertytax "or anything like it" in the budget, due to be handed down next month.

"I'm saying `no premium property tax, nothing like it, no measure to single out wealthyhome owners'," Mr Ripper told ABC radio.

However, Mr Ripper would not be drawn on whether increasing stamp duty was being consideredas an option.

"It's just not the right time of the process for us to be talking about specifics becausewe haven't made any decisions," he said.

At the height of the premium property tax debate in October last year, Perth socialiteRose Porteous declared she would rather pull down her palatial mansion Prix d'Amour thanpay the tax.

The government is reportedly trying to boost its revenue after unforeseen costs wipedout the September budget's $9 million surplus.

AAP sd/las/sb

KEYWORD: PROPERTY