Queensland's peak property body has predicted that up to 3500 people could lose their jobs as a result of a revenue measure introduced by the Bligh Government in yesterday's budget review.

The budget review contains three revenue-raising measures that will be introduced from the middle of next year and will bring in an extra $323m to the state Government. Car registrations will increase, winners on gaming machines at casinos will pay extra taxes and there will be a surcharge on landholdings worth more than $5m.

While the charges will affect only 130 individuals, they will have an effect on 1800 companies, many of which are large land owners in the retail sector, such as Coles and Woolworths.

The Australian