Page 2188 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 6 June 1990

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We have seen over the last few weeks what this Government's approach to revenue raising will be. That is to tax the battler and give subsidies to the privileged, just as the Priorities Review Board recommended. We have seen rates increased by 10 per cent in real terms. We have seen parking charges, bus fares and registration charges increasing faster than inflation. So it is the battling, ordinary Canberrans who are being slugged. On the other hand, we see the Government giving a $1m tax handout to the business community.

Mr Duby: Where?

MS FOLLETT: This Government has changed my proposals to bring ACT stamp duties into line with the States, along the lines the Grants Commission suggested, Mr Duby. Pay attention! They just could not help themselves. They had to reduce the tax rate to less than half that applying elsewhere. I would remind the Assembly that, according to Minister Humphries' own figures - no matter how dodgy they are - this Government would have to close five primary schools to fund their decision to provide a stamp duty subsidy to business.

Mr Speaker, quite clearly, from what I have said here today we can see that the Priorities Review Board's report is not simply a set of recommendations which the Government is considering. It is, in fact, an agenda that the Government is implementing. It is an agenda that will be opposed by the ACT community and it is an agenda that I reject.

Debate (on motion by Mr Duby) adjourned.

DRAFT LAND USE (APPROVALS AND ORDERS) BILL 1990

MR KAINE (Chief Minister): Mr Speaker, I seek leave to - - -

Mr Moore: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I draw your attention to the fact that on a number of occasions you have pointed out that you call one speaker from one side of the house then one speaker from the other side of the house. I ask you to do that now.

MR SPEAKER: That is within one debate, Mr Moore. I call the Chief Minister.

MR KAINE: Mr Speaker, I seek leave of the Assembly to make a ministerial statement in connection with the draft Land Use (Approvals and Orders) Bill 1990.

Leave not granted.


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