Page 1152 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 March 1991
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not get this amendment in place the old rate of betterment tax will apply until such time as we amend the law. The Government's original intention was that this would be included in the land management package, which is getting close now but is still delayed because of the obligation to continue the process of public consultation and to make sure that that package of legislation accurately reflects the public's view, which is what Mr Stevenson requires. In the interim we are obliged to put through an amendment to an existing Act that will allow us to put in place the new levels of collection. So, there is in fact an element of urgency about it; otherwise we stand the possibility of losing considerable revenue that we assumed that we would bring in this year and in future years. So, on two grounds Mr Stevenson's argument fails, and the Government does not support his adjournment motion.
Question put:
That the motion (Mr Stevenson's) be agreed to.
The Assembly voted -
AYES, 7 NOES, 9
Mr Berry Mr Collaery
Mr Connolly Mr Duby
Ms Follett Mr Humphries
Mrs Grassby Mr Jensen
Mr Moore Mr Kaine
Mr Stevenson Ms Maher
Mr Wood Mrs Nolan
Mr Prowse
Mr Stefaniak
Question so resolved in the negative.
MR KAINE (Chief Minister) (12.05), in reply: Mr Speaker, in concluding the in-principle debate, I will keep my remarks short. I do not want to add to what I said when I introduced the Bill a week ago. I simply want to refer to the proposed amendments and say that the Government will not accept the amendments to be put forward by Mr Moore because they would have the effect, generally speaking, of negating the Government's intention in connection with betterment tax. Most of his amendments would seek to impose a 100 per cent betterment tax rather than the Government's scale.
Most of the matters that he wants to deal with are in fact incorporated in draft regulations that have been circulated, I am advised. If Mr Moore did not receive them, he will be provided with a copy of those regulations which will be brought to the Assembly in a matter of days. So, Mr Moore's proposed amendments are not acceptable to the Government. On the other hand, the proposed amendment by Mr Connolly is acceptable. We believe that the detail stage should proceed and be concluded quickly.
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