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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 8 Hansard (20 August) . . Page.. 2929 ..

MS MacDONALD: I asked if the Treasurer would be considering a reduction in stamp duty.

MR SPEAKER: It's not an announcement of policy. The questioner hasn't asked for an announcement of policy; she's asked whether the Treasurer will be considering such a matter.

MR QUINLAN: I will speak in the first person, if you like, Mr Speaker. Certainly there is some discussion in states in relation to stamp duty, and there may be a national move. But let me say that what concerns me more is the occasional claim that the ACT government's got a surplus; we've got plenty of money; why don't you do this or that? I think as recently as yesterday Mr Pratt was talking about pay more to teachers because you've got more money.

The case is that there is a housing boom, and to quote Peter Costello: "Booms do not last for ever."There is an anticipation that the level of income from stamp duty will come off, and it would seem to me to be folly in the extreme to be suggesting that a government should set its budget based on revenues at what is perceived the peak of a boom.

Mr Pratt: It doesn't mask-

MR QUINLAN: That, apparently, does seem to be the financial intellect of the opposition that we have, but I have to say-

Mr Pratt: It doesn't mask the fact that you don't-

MR SPEAKER: Mr Pratt, I name you. You're named.

Mr Corbell: I move:

Mr Cornwell: Excuse me, Mr Speaker-

MR SPEAKER: Resume your seat. This has to be resolved without debate.

The Assembly voted-

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

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