Page 1758 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 5 May 2010
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of transparency and accountability. And what the opposition does is to completely ignore it and pretend that it is there for the long term, which is absolutely incorrect. But it is lazy and it is what we expect from this opposition.
Taxation—change of use
MR COE: My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, this morning you confirmed that your government is pursuing your massive tax on homes via the change of use charge. You indicated that, whilst you were still consulting on the massive tax on homes, you would pursue the tax anyway, as stated in the budget. Treasurer, how can the community have any confidence in your consultation if you have clearly made up your mind on the massive tax on homes?
MS GALLAGHER: The answer to the question is that the consultation is on codification. The increase in revenue is about applying the law as it was intended, and that is the difference in the revenue. So the consultation is about a different matter, Mr Coe.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Coe, a supplementary question?
MR COE: Treasurer, have you discussed the viability threshold of new developments under the massive tax on homes, and are you satisfied it will not detrimentally affect housing affordability?
MS GALLAGHER: Under the codification process, a cost-benefit analysis is being done, which will be provided to government. The government has not taken a view on codification at this point in time.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, a supplementary question?
MR SESELJA: Treasurer, what will be the average impact on the cost of a unit in the suburb of Braddon under your proposed changes to how you interpret the change of use legislation as set out in the budget?
MS GALLAGHER: It depends on the value of the property.
Mr Seselja: You don’t know the average?
MS GALLAGHER: It depends. I think I would refer Mr Seselja to the schedule of tables which indicate it, so it is very clear from that that it would be a significant increase on what is currently being paid now under codification, and we expect it to be in that order under a site-by-site valuation process.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, a supplementary?
MR SMYTH: Yes, Mr Speaker. Minister, what impact will the massive tax hike have—
Members interjecting—
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