Page 3763 - Week 12 - Thursday, 21 October 1993
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whilst I do not really understand Mr Moore's brief for farmers, as I have said I will reluctantly accept the amendments, and I will accept them because I think there could be a point in his competition argument.
I also am aware, Madam Speaker, that, in respect of the 53 rural lessees in the ACT, if we were to accept Mr Moore's amendments, the revenue forgone would amount to all of about $16,000. In budget terms, in revenue terms, that is really neither here nor there. Madam Speaker, for that reason I bow to the numbers here, but I do wish to make a comment that there could well be compliance problems with these amendments. There could well be an attempted avoidance through, for instance, people masquerading as farmers. That is entirely conceivable.
Mr Humphries: A straw hat, and a bit of straw in their mouth.
Mr Cornwell: Big hats, chewing on grass and speaking as slowly as Mr Berry.
Mr De Domenico: With corks on them.
MS FOLLETT: Did I hear mention of Corkhills? People might masquerade as farmers or otherwise try to evade this franchise fee. Given the nature of farming activities, that will be a little bit difficult to adequately police; so there could be a compliance problem here. Nevertheless, as I say, Madam Speaker, it is not a huge issue, it is a small amount of money, and for that reason the Government reluctantly will accept these amendments.
MR MOORE (4.50): Madam Speaker, I appreciate members' support for the amendments, however reluctant. The Chief Minister raised that question about rural farmers. I think I am probably more conscious of that than most, having only a couple of months - - -
Mr Humphries: As opposed to urban farmers.
MR MOORE: As opposed to farmers in the outback. Only a couple of months ago I was on Tanami Downs station and drove 100 kilometres to assist in fixing a bore. That farm used diesel for home heating. The point I was making is that it is very different from the construction industry. When the construction industry here is going for some business they compete with other people on a level playing field, to use the old cliche that seems to be very popular, and they compete here within the ACT. When a farmer seeks to sell his - - -
Mr De Domenico: That is just not true, Michael.
MR MOORE: There is an interjection from Mr De Domenico, "That is not true". No doubt the Liberals are going to come back with that same argument that they have used before, that they will be able to get their fuel cheaper in Queanbeyan. The Chief Minister has gone through that and I have gone through it. I know that Mr Humphries does not believe me. Not only is the letter there from the Office of State Revenue, but I was assured personally by the commissioner for revenue in New South Wales. I am prepared to accept that before I am prepared to accept Mr Humphries's doubts. If it turns out that that is not possible, I will be prepared to come back and review the legislation, but I have been given that personal assurance and I am prepared to accept it. That is it. We make judgments about what we are prepared to accept - unless, of course, we are lawyers who believe that everything has to be done in black and white, except in court where judges make decisions about things. I am quite happy to accept that.
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