Landholders affected by the growth areas infrastructure contribution know that Labor MPs have been defending this tax at many public meetings for months. And they know the revised contribution is no better at all.

Labor’s Ben Hardman, Tammy Lobato, Don Nardella, and Danielle Green (to name a few) can hardly claim it was their influence that prompted any adjustment.

Mr Brumby didn’t care what they thought; he didn’t even consult them in the first place. In fact, landholders knew about the contribution before these backbenchers did.

These families refused to be duped by Mr Brumby’s sly tax grab. They won’t be duped by superficial changes and they won’t be conned by Labor MPs claiming credit for something they didn’t pursue and haven’t achieved.

The truth is that landholders, the Opposition and a few brave local councils have fought this tax since it was exposed last December.

Problem is, Labor is still proposing a contribution tax and the Opposition has already identified shortcomings in the now-proposed legislation. Regardless of the spin from Labor MPs, another tax can hardly be hailed as good news for landholders in growth areas.

MATTHEW GUY,

Opposition spokesman on planning