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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 14 Hansard (11 December) . . Page.. 4932 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

We have written to the National Competition Council because we believe that this is unfair competition for other land-holders or people who own houses in the ACT. The Prime Minister even agrees that these rates and land taxes should be paid. The Prime Minister has agreed in principle to amend the Australian National University Act to make the ANU legally liable, in the same way as other tertiary institutions, such as the University of Canberra, have to pay their share. The University of Canberra has to pay rates and land taxes on its properties. The ANU is refusing, Mr Speaker.

I think it is time that the ANU shouldered its responsibilities and agreed to pay its way with regard to rates and land taxes for its off-campus property. I can assure members that we will continue to argue the ACT's case and continue to pressure for the necessary amendments in the Federal Parliament.

Mr Berry: Would there be another side to this story?

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, Mr Berry does not seem to think this is important. This Government will not be held to ransom. I do not believe that paying rates and land taxes has anything to do with planning and land issues. The ANU has been telling us that it has had the money available for as long as I have been in this job, but the people of Canberra continue to subsidise one of our largest, single, property-owners in the ACT when it rents its properties on the open market. I do not think that is acceptable and we will certainly be working hard to change it.

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, in the spirit of cooperation and consultation, I wonder whether the Chief Minister would provide the Leader of the Opposition with all correspondence that has passed between the Government and the ANU?

MRS CARNELL: I am happy to provide a full briefing.

Mr Berry: No, I want all the correspondence.

Mr Kaine: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. Could that be conditional upon the Leader of the Opposition telling us what action he will take after February to recover this money, if any?

Mr Berry: I can tell you this; I will not berate them here in the parliament.

MR SPEAKER: I cannot.

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