Levy Obligations and Fines for Short Stay Accommodation Providers
Short Stay Levy Bill 2026
House of Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon Eric Abetz MP (LIB)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Eric Abetz LIB
“Acting Speaker, I move - That the bill be now read the second time. Today, the government is delivering on its 2024 election promise to introduce a 5 per cent levy on short-stay rental accommodation in Tasmania. In the leadup to the 2024 election, Tasmanians told us clearly that first home ownership was becoming out of reach.”
Dean Winter ALP
“Deputy Speaker, I rise to oppose the short-stay levy bill today. When I saw minister Howlett stand in this place and move a bill to shut down greyhound racing, I really never thought I’d see anything like it again; someone so opposed to the thing that they were moving so ideologically and personally committed to something and then so readily standing here to shut down the thing that she loved.”
Vica Bayley GRN
“Honourable Speaker, I rise to talk on this Short Stay Levy Bill and am happy to acknowledge upfront that we support this bill. I know a number of different amendments have been distributed. We think they add value to this bill and will support them also, but in principle we support this bill.”
Helen Burnet IND
“Honourable Speaker, I rise to speak about the Short Stay Levy Bill 2026. I’d like to thank the Treasurer and Treasury staff for the briefing and following up on many of our questions. The primary question I have been trying to understand is: what is this bill actually trying to achieve?”
Anita Dow ALP
“Honourable Speaker, I rise this afternoon to make a contribution on this short-stay levy legislation. As my colleague, Dean Winter, has very well outlined our position previously, I’m sure the House has a good understanding that we won’t be supporting this socalled levy today in parliament, which is actually a tax on the tourists to Tasmania.”
Kristie Johnston IND
“Honourable Speaker, I rise to make my contribution on the Short Stay Levy Bill 2026, and at the start indicate my support for the bill but, as has previously been discussed, I have some amendments and some concerns with the bill, which I will go into further detail. I want to say at the outset that I’m not naive.”
George Razay IND
“Honourable Speaker, I rise to make my contribution to the Short Stay Levy Bill 2026. Tasmania is facing a housing crisis. Prices are out of reach, rental vacancy rates are tight and public housing waiting lists are long. Families are struggling to find stable accommodation, while essential workers are being priced out of the communities they serve.”
Eric Abetz LIB
“Deputy Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise to speak on the Short Stay Levy Bill 2026. In my contribution yesterday on my private members’ time, I indicated my support for the Short Stay Levy Bill. In fact, I’ve been on this campaign for quite some time.”