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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 8 Hansard (28 August) . . Page.. 2628 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

In terms of ACT taxation, something for which we on this side of the house are responsible, we have given an undertaking to make sure that, wherever possible, our fees and charges are not more than those in New South Wales, our nearest neighbour. We believe that is appropriate. It is the only way we can ensure that our businesses and people who live in the ACT are not disadvantaged in comparison to those people who live over the border.

With regard to taxation generally - and now I get into the points of view area, which I suspect could be out of order - I totally support taxation reform in this country. I believe very strongly that the only way the ACT will be able to compete in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in the areas that I believe we can lead Australia in, and that is IT research and R and D advanced technology, is to make sure that our companies, our businesses here, have a similar sort of taxation base to their competitors in the USA, New Zealand and Europe. To achieve that, Mr Speaker, we need a broader taxation base. We need to ensure that our taxation base, at least for our businesses, is more in line with our competitors'.

MS TUCKER: I have a supplementary question. I find it extraordinary that it might be out of order that Mrs Carnell, the Chief Minister of this Territory, would have a view on taxation. My supplementary question - - -

MR SPEAKER: I would remind Ms Tucker of standing order 114, which says:

Questions may be put to a Minister relating to public affairs with which that Minister is officially connected, to proceedings pending in the Assembly or to any matter of administration for which that Minister is responsible.

The Chief Minister has answered the question within the context of standing order 114. You may ask your supplementary question, Ms Tucker.

MS TUCKER: Is there no responsibility for the Chief Minister to actually express a view on behalf of the Territory, as Chief Minister, to the Federal Government on a matter which will have an impact on the Territory, and that is tax? If Mrs Carnell is prepared to see the need for tax reform, will she call on the Prime Minister to abandon the narrow parameters and processes he has established for the current tax debate and instead allow the debate to be framed and discussed by the national summit that has already been discussed in this place?

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, if Kerrie Tucker is asking me whether I will support the Greens' tax summit, the answer is no. If Ms Tucker is asking me whether I personally will support a broader tax base for Australia, the answer is yes. If Ms Tucker is interested in whether I will support a talkfest on taxation with no outcomes, the answer is no. What I want, and I am sure what the Liberal Party on this side of the house want, is real taxation reform, not just a lot of talk about it.

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