Vic Greens call for $1.5b banking levy

The Victorian Greens are calling for a banking levy to be introduced to bring in $1.5 billion over four years into the state's coffers.

Greens MP Ellen Sandell

Victorian Greens MP Ellen Sandell is advocating for a state banking levy to fund essential services. (AAP)

A tax on banks could rake in $1.5 billion over four years for the state, the Victorian Greens say.

The minor party is pushing for a controversial banking levy, based on the South Australian model proposed by the former Labor government.

"The Greens' plan for a levy on the big four banks, plus Macquarie Bank, will return some of the super profits of the banks to all Victorians," Greens' treasury spokeswoman Ellen Sandell said in a statement on Monday.

"This means more public money for our schools, hospitals, public transport, and essential services across Victoria."

The Greens have had the policy reviewed by the recently-established parliamentary budget office, which costs political policies.

The party's plan would apply to banks operating in Victoria which are already liable for the federal major bank levy and would be set at 0.015 per cent per quarter of the state's share of bank liabilities, calculated using Victoria's share of the national economy.

"Banks should be working for us, but the royal commission has shown us that they've racked up super profits off the back of shocking behaviour," Ms Sandell said.

"We can't just rely on taxes from an over-inflated housing market to pay Victoria's bills."

However, Premier Daniel Andrews quickly shot down the suggestion, telling ABC radio on Monday he ruled it out when the SA government tried it and his position had not changed.

Australian Banking Association CEO Anna Bligh said the policy was "recklesss and dangerous", discouraging investment, slowing growth and affecting jobs.

"This proposal will hurt business confidence, affect investment and make the state a riskier place to do business," Ms Bligh said.

"The finance and insurance industry is vitally important to the Victorian economy, contributing 10.6 per cent to economic activity of the state.

"Australia's banks last year paid almost $14 billion in tax, making them the largest taxpayers in the country."


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world