Page 3251 - Week 11 - Thursday, 12 September 1991
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stage, the matter comes back to the court of the ACT Government, as it were, where we will no doubt have approaches, if approval has been given, to vary the lease.
Mr Langmore's committee has said that it is proper to have offices on that site across the road, which is the site from Constitution Avenue to Parkes Way.
Mr Jensen: When did he say that? In his report?
MR WOOD: In the report. Perhaps you are not aware of it. That report came down this morning.
Mr Moore: He said that it is proper or it is improper?
MR WOOD: He has said that it is proper to have office accommodation on that site.
Mr Jensen: You did not let him answer the question.
MR WOOD: The report goes on to say that the principle that government offices should not predominate in Civic should remain. There is a great deal in the report that I am sure Mr Moore, Mr Jensen and others will be interested in. I have answered the question, Mr Jensen. We will be giving this matter very close consideration. There will be nothing automatic in what we do. I will be examining it most carefully and the Government will be making a decision. The primary factor in that decision is the interests of the ACT community.
MR MOORE: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Is it not true that, because of the leasehold system and in spite of the fact that those people are in breach of their leases, they have no presumptive right over the lease when it changes to a different purpose?
MR WOOD: I believe that that is a reasonable interpretation. I will check that through most carefully, because it is a very important point, and advise you subsequently.
Land Tax
MR HUMPHRIES: I refer the Treasurer to her answer to Mr Kaine's question in which she mentioned that there were indications of what would happen in the rental market if there were to be changes in the land tax situation. I ask the Treasurer: Did she ask her officials to carry out studies into the effect the land tax will have on tenants or landlords or any increased demand for public housing that might result from the increase in the land tax? If studies were carried out, will she table those studies?
MS FOLLETT: I say again that the answer I gave as to the impact on the rental market was made on the strict proviso that landlords choose to pass on the tax to their tenants.
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