Page 5823 - Week 18 - Tuesday, 10 December 1991
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MR STEVENSON (8.32): Firstly, the Gas Levy Bill was tabled on 5 December, only five days ago. It is yet another Bill that is going to be rammed through, as I made the point in the matter of public importance that I brought up in the Assembly. Once again, people do not agree with Bills being rammed through in such a short period. Secondly, this Bill represents an increase in taxation and an increase in regulation. I thought the comments by Mr Humphries were getting very close to the target.
In her tabling speech, the Chief Minister said that the Government has agreed with AGL that the company will initially absorb the levy. It is interesting that the Government has agreed with AGL. One would presume that AGL said, "Hey, that is a good idea; we want to do this", and the Government then agreed. However, I doubt that that was the case. I think that the Labor Party would have gone along and said, "What we want you to do at this time, with an election coming up, is not increase gas prices" and, under whatever sort of process the Labor Party gets its agreements, AGL agreed. One wonders whether it is a similar agreement to those with businesses making $200,000 donations in Western Australia. Members of the Labor Party go along and let businesses know what the current rule is regarding the amount of a donation to the Labor Party. When the Chief Minister says "initially", the question is: "For how long?". Provided it is after 15 February, I do not suppose it really matters.
It is expected that revenue of $635,000 will be collected in a full year. One could ask whether it is reasonable for any business to be required, however it is done, not to pass government imposts or what have become marketplace imposts on to the people who buy their service. I think that not many people in business would agree with that principle.
The Bill states:
Where an authorised distributor ceases to carry on the business of supplying or distributing gas, the distributor shall, within 14 days, notify the Commissioner in writing of this fact.
Not doing so incurs a penalty. It also says in clause 9, under the heading "Records":
In addition to any records kept pursuant to section 96 of the Taxation (Administration) Act 1987 an authorised distributor shall keep such records as are prescribed.
We do not know what is going to be prescribed. This sort of open-ended regulation, with more imposts and with more requirements of businesses, makes it increasingly difficult for businesses to operate. As I mentioned, it is suggested that initially AGL will not pass on any increases to the people of the ACT. I think it is quite reasonable to ask how long the Labor Party foresees that that will be.
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