Page 1895 - Week 06 - Thursday, 2 May 1991
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rebate, as the Chief Minister pointed out - of his or her rates liability. This Bill amends that Act by providing improved services to those persons entitled to a rebate of rates. The Bill also introduces minor amendments to modify and enhance the Act.
The Bill proposes new arrangements which remove the need for entitled persons to reapply each year for a rebate, and in that regard this Bill, I think, is quite a social reform. It is anticipated that this change alone will reduce the number of annual rebate applications by approximately 3,500. This, Mr Speaker, is a considerable benefit to members of the community, particularly the aged, who no longer need to front repeatedly with evidence of eligibility. At the same time, Mr Speaker, the change will alleviate peak work loads in the Revenue Office and ACTEW, with savings expected from a reduction in associated administrative costs.
Mr Speaker, part-year rebates have also been proposed in the Bill, which is a new concept. This will enable a pensioner to claim a rebate of rates from the date he or she becomes an eligible person. This supersedes the current provisions in the principal Act which require a pensioner to be the owner and occupier of the subject property on 1 July of that particular year. I think this in itself is a substantial reform in the administration of these particular pieces of legislation. These amendments will ensure that all rebates are granted under the Rates and Land Rent (Relief) Act 1970 rather than some rebates, such as part-year rebates of rates, being granted under certain provisions in the Rates and Land Tax Act 1926 and the Electricity and Water Act 1988.
The specific provisions for part-year rebates in the amended Act will also enable a more accurate record of rates rebates to be maintained. The point is that a person will now be eligible for a rebate from the very day that they meet those eligibility criteria and will not have to wait. It will not even be done on a quarterly basis or anything like that. The specific provisions for part-year rebates in the amended Act, as I said, will enable a more accurate record of the total amount of rates rebate to be maintained and that will also assist us in determining the cost to the community of providing this service to the aged and infirm.
Mr Speaker, the Bill also has rebate termination provisions to protect the rates revenue base. A rebate will have effect for an indefinite period unless prescribed circumstances alter the eligibility criteria. These circumstances are where the pensioner is no longer an eligible person, or lessee, or where the property ceases to be the principal place of residence. A penalty will be imposed where a person fails to notify the commissioner of a change in circumstance on a deliberate basis. The Bill enables the commissioner, if he or she believes that
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