Page 412 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 21 February 1990
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comprehensive planning and leasing legislation which will provide specifically for a more effective and efficient management system of leases in the ACT.
I do not see any advantage in reviewing a series of negotiations and approvals, all of which occurred before self-government was granted. I believe it is more important that we concentrate on getting the system right so that problems such as that associated with section 52 in the City do not come up in the future.
Yesterday I answered a question from Mr Moore on this issue. I said that I would take on notice that part of the question that related to whether 8,000 square metres of office space would be an acceptable component of the hotel development. I understand that the lessee has approached both the Office of Industry and Development and the Interim Territory Planning Authority seeking a variation of the lease to provide for a readjustment of the gross floor area described in that lease, and the current proposal seeks a minor increase in some specific areas of use. A possible interpretation of the lessee's proposal, if it were approved, would allow up to 8,000 square metres of retail and office use. An analysis of this proposal is to be included in the report and the recommendations which I expect very soon from the Office of Industry and Development. I will consider that report and the recommendations as soon as possible, and I will advise the Assembly, the lessee and the public accordingly.
Wealth Tax
MS MAHER: My question is directed to the Minister for Housing and Community Services. Today's Canberra Times reported that the ACT Council of Social Service has called for the introduction of a wealth tax on home owners to fund the expansion of public rental housing. Does the Minister, who launched the ACTCOSS housing issues paper, support the introduction of a wealth tax?
MR COLLAERY: The short and simple answer to that is no. There were a number of useful initiatives in the ACTCOSS paper, but a wealth tax should be taken up obviously at national level so that it would impact, were it to be introduced, equitably across the country. I think all members would agree that a wealth tax is an ideological issue that, since Federation, has not found a home. I acknowledge the social justice push behind that statement, but I advise the Assembly that it is doubtful that we would initiate a wealth tax.
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