Victorian treasurer Jaclyn Symes has been slammed as ‘arrogant’ by a radio host after she asked a room of voters to share their ‘favourite tax’.
Symes posed the question at a post-budget Property Council of Australia breakfast on Tuesday.
Speaking to a room of more than 200 of the state’s property developers and investors, Symes asked: ‘Let’s have a show of hands, what is the worst tax?’
The majority of the audience remained silent while others laughed nervously, prompting the treasurer to ask: ‘What is your favourite tax?’
After a pause, Property Council chief executive Mike Zorbas asked the crowd: ‘Who’s in favour of national tax reforms?’
His question was met with several attendees raising their hands.
Radio host Jacqui Felgate, who presents 3AW Drive, was angered by the treasurer’s seemingly poor attempt at a joke.
‘I’m just staggered by this and the word I’m going to use today is arrogance,’ she said.
Victorian treasurer Jaclyn Symes (pictured) asked the audience at a post-budget Property Council of Australia breakfast what their ‘favourite tax’ was
3AW host Jacqui Felgate lashed the treasurer’s poor attempt at a joke as ‘arrogant’ and said people’s lives had been destroyed by taxation in Victoria
‘People in construction who are trying to keep their businesses going, first time buyers who can’t buy a home.
‘Small business owners, farmers, retirees, young, old workers in this state.
‘The destruction that the level of tax in Victoria has done to people’s lives.’
Ms Felgate then read a list of the taxes Victorians are subject to, including Covid tax, land tax, fire services levy, work cover levy and payroll tax.
‘And a generational level of debt,’ she added.
‘Let me tell you treasurer, no one is laughing. So whether it’s a bad joke that just didn’t land or pure arrogance, no one is laughing.’
A recent report by The Age showed Victorians are subject to 33 state-based taxes on top of those paid to the federal government such as income tax.
It said Victoria has the highest tax rates of any state as a percentage of gross national product, yet its total government debt is now $155 billion.
Ms Felgate (pictured) sent a pointed message to the treasurer, telling her ‘no one is laughing’
Listeners to the Jacqui Felgate program were enraged by the Treasurer’s questions.
Another wrote: ‘I have so MUCH RESPECT for you for calling them out on their DISGUSTING and DISRESPECTFUL behaviour! Thank you!’
‘Continued lack of understanding of what Victorians actually want or need. We are all being crushed by this government’s continued spending on things we neither need or want; and the continued taxes being forced on us,’ a third commented.
‘Something has to give, hopefully Victorians realise what is happening and take action when it is time to vote.’
Developer Max Shifman, who attended the breakfast, said Symes’ question showed how ‘tone deaf she is’ when it came to the state’s property industry.
He told the Herald Sun the industry had been ‘brought to its knees through sky high taxes and regulation’.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Symes’ office for comment.
