Page 1901 - Week 06 - Thursday, 2 May 1991
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point. It is not an issue of cutting back the benefit that people ought to receive, and that is not the only issue that ought to have been considered by the Government.
My major criticism is that the Government has not extended its valuation of concessions beyond this issue of a rebate on the rates. It has left out of the range of issues that should have been considered those other concessions that, quite rightly, have been suggested as necessary for further consideration and recalculation by the ACT Council of Social Service.
What I did express was a concern about the regressive nature of the sorts of formulas which are used in the Bill. I would like the Government to give some form of undertaking that the issue of concessions will be considered as a basket. Hopefully, we would end up getting a better deal for everybody, but a deal which is considered fair by those people at the bottom end of town.
It is true to say that the Government would guard, I think, against extremely wealthy people getting a full issue of concessions, if I can call it that. But I am not convinced that the Government is prepared to sit down now and consider its position on a basket of concessions. I am certainly not happy that the Government has consulted appropriately with the ACT Council of Social Service on the issue, because it does not seem to have incorporated any of the suggestions that have been put by the council on these matters.
MR DUBY (Minister for Finance and Urban Services) (11.49): Mr Speaker, I have no further comments. I have demonstrated that what Mr Berry originally proposed in this debate would be socially inequitable and would not be welcomed by a vast number of people who are currently eligible to receive a rental rebate. The fact is that it is equitable.
Mr Berry: I did not suggest it. You got it wrong again. Another furphy.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Berry, I ask you to withdraw that.
Mr Berry: Well, Mr Speaker - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Berry, please stand up.
Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I would like to speak to that point of order because this is an issue that I consider extremely important. You will recall, Mr Speaker - - -
Mr Kaine: Mr Speaker, does he need leave to speak on this subject?
MR SPEAKER: He can comment on the point of order, Chief Minister; but please be brief, Mr Berry.
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