Page 1193 - Week 03 - Thursday, 31 March 2011

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ACT community to raise funds for environmental projects. Treasurer, in the Canberra Times of 26 March 2011 you are reported as having said, in relation to the forthcoming ACT budget:

We’re not looking at new revenue initiatives, that’s the big story.

Treasurer, will you guarantee that there will not be an environment tax?

MS GALLAGHER: My comments as reported in the Canberra Times are correct: the government is not considering new revenue initiatives in this budget. That is based on the fact that we have the tax review underway. That tax review is to report in August and I think it would not be wise to embark on new revenue initiatives outside of that report. However, I think it would be irresponsible of me to say there will never be any new revenue measures looked at by the government. What we are seeing is continued demand for our services, continued reduction in support—

Opposition members interjecting—

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MS GALLAGHER: from commonwealth payments, and it would be irresponsible for us to rule anything out.

Opposition members interjecting—

MS GALLAGHER: But I can say that for the purposes of this budget the government is not actively—

Opposition members interjecting—

MR SPEAKER: Treasurer, one moment, please. Stop the clocks, thank you. Members, I have asked those on the opposition benches several times during Ms Gallagher’s last answer to not interject. The next member who does when Ms Gallagher is speaking will be warned.

MS GALLAGHER: You are very generous, Mr Speaker. Mr Hanson is a continual offender to your rulings and I think perhaps the only way to manage him is to have that public gallery stacked with members of his Lions Club or the Gungahlin branch of the Liberal Party, because all of a sudden when that happens Mr Hanson turns into this “butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth” kind of guy who never says anything other than, “Welcome to my Assembly.”

MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Treasurer. Treasurer, the question, thank you.

MS GALLAGHER: Every other time when this place is empty, you behave in the most appalling, disgusting way.

Mr Stanhope: Spineless and chinless.


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