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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2710 ..


1) What proposals were put forward by the aged community for a change to stamp duty laws to remove the obstacle of changing house accommodation (Budget paper 3, page 228)?

2) Why specifically was the proposal/s rejected?

Mr Quinlan

: The answer to the member's question is as follows:

1) In its submission to the 2003-04 ACT Budget community consultation process, the ACT Council on the Ageing (COTA) proposed that the Government should introduce a scheme for waiving or reducing duty on conveyancing, where older people seek to move to more 'appropriate accommodation' (p.5 March 2003 COTA Submission No. 03-02).

2) COTA's proposal was not implemented. The Government does not believe that there is a strong justification for this proposal and no evidence was provided, to indicate that conveyancing duty deters the move by older people to more 'appropriate accommodation'.


The aged group is not necessarily a low-income group. In many cases, aged persons have a large amount of equity already built up within their place of residence and many own their own home outright. At a time when this group needs to move to more 'appropriate accommodation' usually a smaller, more manageable property, it is reasonable to suppose that the amount of equity available to the home owner in their current residence would cover the cost of new accommodation, including any stamp duty liability.


Under special circumstances and on a case-by-case basis, the Government would consider concessions or waivers of stamp duty where the payment of duty would cause significant financial hardship.

St Andrews Village

(Question No 795)

Mr Cornwell asked the Minister for Planning, upon notice:

In relation to the extension of St Andrews Village, Hughes to Stage 4 off De Largie Place:

(1) What stage have these negotiations reached after three years;

(2) Is Block 12 Section 28 Hughes still available;

(3) When will this matter be resolved.

Mr Corbell

: The answer to the member's questions is as follows:

(1) Block 12 has an Urban Open Space land use policy and because my Government has initiated a review of Urban Open Space, the ACT Planning and Land Authority has undertaken an audit of the site to establish its value to the open space system. Part of the site has been identified as a possible area which could be developed. St Andrews has been asked to prepare a concept plan for the site which takes account of the trees located on the site.

(2) Yes, the block has not be sold.


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