Page 289 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 12 May 1992
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comment on that, Madam Speaker, is: Who will believe the Government? The Government, after all, gave an undertaking to the non-government sector, prior to the last budget, and then proceeded to take $550,000 from three schools. So, I would suggest that one should not regard that commitment from the Government as necessarily - - -
Mr Wood: We said that we would listen to them.
MR CORNWELL: You did not consult with them, though, Mr Wood, before making that decision. You will have to agree with me on that point.
Mr Wood: I certainly spoke to them about that decision.
MR CORNWELL: Mr Wood, I am sorry; you can understand that it does not give parents any great faith.
I would now like to turn briefly to the other area of my responsibility, which is housing. Again, there are only six lines; nevertheless they are relevant. Ms Follett said:
This Government believes that all people in the community have a fundamental right to secure and affordable accommodation.
I find that interesting, given that it was this Government that imposed a residential rent tax in its last budget. It is also known as Rosemary's rent rip-off because the result of that was that many tenants were disadvantaged - apart from people who own houses, and they are not all rich landlords. A great many people have invested in rental property in order to look after their own retirement.
I find this statement surprising because, in addition to discouraging that sort of investment, from a government that purports to be interested in tenants, it is also from a party that discourages, in my opinion, the purchase of government houses by their tenants. I will simply give two examples of that discouragement. Firstly, I see no reason why, if people wish to purchase their government home and fulfil the quite iniquitous ten-year requirement, those people should have to wait two months for a valuation on the house. I have written to Mr Connolly on that matter. I trust, Mr Connolly, that you have seen my letter.
Mr Connolly: I have read your letter, yes.
MR CORNWELL: I did deliver it personally to you and I would hope that you will look kindly and sensibly at that issue.
The other matter that I would like to mention is a strange business which I am still having a look at. It also appears that if you borrow too much you do not receive, as a first home buyer, an exemption of stamp duty. This is a peculiar situation and, again, I will be contacting - - -
Mr Kaine: Borrow too much in whose opinion?
MR CORNWELL: Presumably in the opinion of the Government. I will be writing to Mr Connolly. I give notice that I will be contacting you in relation to that matter and I would welcome - - -
Mr De Domenico: So, if you are too poor we do not look after you?
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