Page 473 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 24 February 1993
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At that time, on 24 July, the extent of the tax concession for low alcohol products was also raised. On 20 August 1992 there were discussions between the Commissioner for Revenue and a number of members of the concerned liquor group concerning arrears of debt and the proposals around the collection of arrears of debt and various tax matters. On 17 September I made the budget announcement and reiterated at that time the proposal to introduce new liquor tax rates.
The High Court decision was on 15 October. On 27 November 1992 the Revenue Office sent a letter to all liquor licensees regarding the proposals that were under consideration, advising at that time of the delay in the new liquor tax rates until 1 April. On 29 January of this year the Revenue Office again sent a letter to all licensees about their record keeping under the new high and low alcohol tax arrangements.
On 4 February this year there were discussions between the Commissioner for Revenue and the two Messrs Farmer, again to go through these proposals. The arrangement there was that they were to get back if there were any problems. On 11 February there was a telephone conversation with Mr John Press, the ACT president of the AHA, about this proposal. Again, he was to get back if there were any concerns. And so it goes on, Madam Speaker. There was a call to the Licensed Clubs Association and a call to the executive director of the AHA about the proposal. There was a meeting, in fact, with the executive director of the AHA, and so on. I am satisfied, on the documents that I have, that the consultation has been considerable and appropriate; so I reject any proposition that it has not been.
I think that that addresses all of the issues of substance that have been put forward by other speakers. I say again that I am sorry about the haste; but sometimes you have to do things quickly, and this is one of them. I would feel that I was remiss in my duty if I did not deal with this matter at the first available opportunity. I have brought the legislation to the Assembly as quickly as it was possible to do so, and I consider that both the Revenue Office and the legislative drafting people set a very high standard indeed in getting Bills to this Assembly in good order and condition. The fact that there are a couple of typos again in these Bills should in no way be taken to indicate that there has not been very careful consideration, very careful work, put into the drafting of these Bills, because that is indeed the case. I commend them to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
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