Tasmanian Liberals Promise Short-Stay Levy If Re-elected

Tourists and locals who stay in a Tasmanian Airbnb will be slugged a surcharge if the nation’s only centre-right Liberal government survives the upcoming state election. Premier Jeremy Rockliff has revealed plans for a 5 percent levy on short-stay rentals such as those advertised on Airbnb and Stayz if the Liberals are re-elected on March 23. The proposed levy of 5 percent would be paid by consumers and is expected to generate $11 million (US$7 million) a year, which the Liberals say will be entirely redirected to give first home-buyers a leg up. “This policy will help to ease the supply side pressures and to help more young Tasmanians to buy their first home,” Mr. Rockliff said on Sunday....