Page 2284 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 22 June 2011
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(3) notes that the ACT Government will apply triple bottom line analysis on all major policy proposals, including all budget initiatives from August 2011; and
(4) notes that the ACT Government will continue to work with the Assembly and the community to ensure that we continue to examine ways to ensure those experiencing financial hardship are provided with appropriate assistance.”.
If you look at the amendment that we have circulated to Mr Seselja’s motion, you will see that, yes, we accept that taxation has grown by 75 per cent. We accept that gross household disposable income has grown by 81 per cent. We accept that GFS revenue as a proportion of the economy has actually decreased from 14.4 to 13.7 per cent. And we also acknowledge that per capita taxation as a proportion of gross household disposable income in the ACT is 5.1 per cent, which is the lowest in the country compared to the national ratio of 7.9 per cent.
So I think it is important to have some context around this discussion. It is a convenient context for the Leader of the Opposition to omit every time he speaks to this issue. I do not doubt his concern around cost of living pressures for Canberra families, but if he is going to look at all the cost drivers and what is impacting on cost of living, he also needs to look at other rational measures, including issues such as gross household disposable income, growth in wages and per capita taxation as a proportion of people’s household disposable income to provide that context in which to view these pressures.
It is also important to note that it is part of all of the decisions of government and it is very much at the forefront of our minds when we are making major policy decisions about how this will impact on Canberrans. I can certainly say that, in my time as Treasurer—indeed, in the past three years—the rate increases have gone up with the annual adjustment. There has been no hike in rates by this government. There has been no—
Mr Seselja: No hike in rates!
MS GALLAGHER: Well, there has not, Mr Seselja, and the challenge—
Mr Smyth: They have gone up every year.
MS GALLAGHER: Well, they go up with supported indexation arrangements of this place. The challenge for the Leader of the Opposition is not only to come in here and say how terrible things are and how concerned he is, but, three years into this term, we now need to take the next step and ask, “What would you do?” If you do not agree with the ratings measures and the formula for increasing rates, then what are you going to do? Are you going to bring legislation to this chamber and make adjustments to that? If you are going to control rents, how are you going to control them? Are you going to regulate for rental decreases? If you are, how are you going to do it? Where is your legislation? If you are going to set the price of water as opposed to the ICRC, what are you going to do?
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