Page 760 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 8 March 2016
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I do note that the commonwealth, through the Prime Minister, has acknowledged our tax reforms, and I quote again from the Prime Minister’s first interview of the year where he said:
There are tax reform changes, particularly at the state level, which every economist will tell you would give you a very significant lift to GDP. For example, if you were to replace stamp duty on property transactions, and replace it with a land tax, a general land tax, there isn't a tax economist or theorist in the country that wouldn't tell you that would be a good move, because taxes on transactions like sales of property obviously inhibit trade, they slow down economic activity. Everyone understands that—
the Prime Minister said—except for his Canberra Liberal colleagues—
so that would get the policy tick. Political difficulty, however, is very, very high—
MADAM SPEAKER: The member’s time has expired. Sit down, Mr Barr. Supplementary question, Ms Burch.
MS BURCH: My question is to the Treasurer. Can you inform the Assembly about how the regulation of ride sharing is such an insignificant reform for the territory?
Mr Hanson: Insignificant?
MS BURCH: Significant.
Mr Smyth: How insignificant is it?
MR BARR: The member indicated a significant reform. Those opposite cannot listen, but we know that is the case and that is demonstrated every day in this place in everything that they say and do. So for the benefit of those opposite, ride sharing is indeed a major economic reform for the territory. For consumers, legalising ride sharing provides greater choice and lower fares. This is indisputably a good thing for Canberrans. It is indisputably a good thing for Canberrans.
Ride sharing gives Canberrans a new way of finding employment. The flexibility of ride sharing gives Canberrans who may not be otherwise able to work the chance to earn money by offering rides via ride sharing apps at times that suit them. In addition, the regulation of ride sharing has provided legal certainty to consumers and transport providers.
Unlike other jurisdictions, where ride sharing continues to operate in a legally uncertain environment, here in the ACT all parties can offer and take rides confident that they are doing so with the full protection of territory law. The legalisation of riding sharing has included a package of reforms for the taxi and hire car sectors.
Drivers and owners are now benefiting from significantly reduced fees and less red tape and regulation. This, I remind members, was a key recommendation of the Harper competition policy review and the ACT was the first jurisdiction in Australia to make it happen.
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