Page 3248 - Week 11 - Thursday, 12 September 1991
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MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I think Mr Kaine's supplementary question raises one issue I have covered, and that is that the Housing Trust, as a government agency, would simply have to demand more in its appropriation from the Government if it were to be subject to this tax. So, it would be a case of the Government taxing itself. The other thing Mr Kaine has raised is the level of rents that are charged in Housing Trust accommodation. The fact is that Housing Trust rents are set at market levels. I think you have overlooked that, Mr Kaine; they are set at market levels.
Mr Kaine: They are set at somebody's assessment of market levels.
MS FOLLETT: I say again that Housing Trust rents are set at market levels. I presume that that means they reflect the general market for rent in our community. The other thing that has to be borne in mind is that Housing Trust accommodation is available only to the most needy in our community. Mr Kaine makes an assumption in saying that there are people in there who do not need to be in there. If they are not in a needy category or in some way disadvantaged, they are paying full market rent. That is a fact.
I think I have answered both of the points Mr Kaine raised. They are points that are worth raising and perhaps might be canvassed in greater detail when we come to debate the Bill. However, I cannot see any sense in the Government taxing itself, which is what he seems to be implying, and I think members opposite ought to bear in mind that Housing Trust rents are set at market values.
Budget Leaks
DR KINLOCH: My question is to the Chief Minister in her role as Treasurer. I preface it by asking all members to read an article in the Bulletin this week on the problems of the Westminster system as applying to Australia. In view of a number of statements in the media about what is contained in the budget, could the Chief Minister tell the Assembly of the arrangements in her office - in the Treasurer's office - to avoid any kind of leakage of budget documents and budget information? I speak out of the tradition of the Westminster system, in which we are the first people who should know. Can she assure us that no members of her own Government are leaking this information?
MS FOLLETT: This is, of course, a matter that concerns me. I take very seriously indeed the question of purported leaks of budget material. It has concerned me that articles have been printed in the media which purport to be leaks of budget documents. I do not intend to add to the
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