Page 860 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 25 July 1989
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private companies or unlisted unit trusts owning land in the ACT. This will affect acquisitions regardless of the means by which the interest was obtained or where the transaction occurred.
The second measure is designed to prevent the value of certain shares and units being artificially lowered in order to reduce stamp duty. A tax of 20 per cent will be introduced on the sale and hire of X-rated videos from 1 November 1989. Penalties for unlicensed trading will be severe. In conjunction with these arrangements, discussions will be held with the Australian Federal Police to ensure that laws limiting access to X-rated material are adequate and enforced.
The tobacco licence fee will be increased from 30 per cent to 35 per cent with effect from 1 August 1989. Increased health promotion programs will be funded out of this revenue, in line with arrangements introduced in several States. TAB turnover tax will increase to 6 per cent to match that applicable in New South Wales and Victoria and a graduated scheme of taxation will be introduced on takings from gaming machines. A scheme will be introduced to ensure the collection of unpaid parking fines at the time of annual vehicle registration.
In addition, public hospital accommodation for private patients will be raised to $160 per day to match New South Wales charges. Fees and charges applying to other services in the ACT have generally been maintained at current real levels. However, the Government feels that, in some cases, the introduction of a user pays principle is more appropriate. Charges have not been increased where this would impose undue hardship on needy sections of the community. The timing of these changes will vary, with some commencing immediately.
In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I wish to stress again that this Government is committed to encouraging economic development hand in hand with social justice. At the same time we are committed to achieving a balanced budget for the ACT in 1989-90. The Government will continue to work towards these objectives.
As you can see, we have put forward strong, positive measures to encourage the development of industry in order to create jobs in the ACT. We want to continue to review all areas of government activities. We will seek to utilise fully the funds available through the Commonwealth trust account to restructure the ACT budget.
This statement sets out the framework of the Government's budget. It is now time to undertake the consultation process I have previously discussed. I urge all interested people to become involved in this process. When the process is finished I will present the first ever ACT budget to this Assembly in September.
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