Page 627 - Week 02 - Thursday, 20 March 2014

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


circumstances and put in place a mechanism that was fair both to those who had paid their extension of time fees and to those who were not in a position to do so as a result of that particular issue.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.

MR HANSON: If that was fair, why will you not apply the same retrospective principle to land rent lessees who signed up pre 1 October 2013 who are seeking the current land rent rules?

MR BARR: Because there is no disadvantage to those under the original scheme.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.

MR SMYTH: Minister, what is the difference between the conditions for extension of time fees and the land rent changes?

MR BARR: Quite considerable differences.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.

MR SMYTH: Minister, what is the quantum of extension of time fees waived through the stimulus package?

MR BARR: $1 million.

Housing—land rent scheme

MR SMYTH: My question is also to the Minister for Economic Development. Minister, following up on a question on 19 March regarding the sale of a land rent contract for $35,000 advertised on allhomes regarding an undeveloped block at 21 Dooley Binbin Street in Bonner, as you have advised that it is legally possible to sell such a contract, is this a policy oversight or did you intend for land rent lessees to make a profit not from the sale of the land but from the sale of the contract itself?

MR BARR: No, it is not a policy oversight and the question of whether any profit is made has certainly not been proven.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.

MR SMYTH: Minister, what does the government have in place to prevent people abusing this scheme as a profit-making business?

MR BARR: An extensive range of rules and regulations.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.

MR COE: Minister, is the government aware of other similar cases, and how many since the establishment of the scheme?


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video