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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (23 June) . . Page.. 833 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

implement a strategy now to deal with it. Today I can announce the first stage of that strategy. Over the next four years we will put aside a total of $200m towards meeting the cost of accruing liabilities. This represents the single biggest commitment by any government since we first assumed the liability in 1989.

This Government has carefully reviewed the taxes and charges that are levied on Canberrans, in an attempt to minimise the impact of higher costs of living, wherever possible. For example, the overall increase in rates revenue has, for the fourth year in a row, been limited to the forecast CPI increase. While total budget revenue is expected to be only slightly above the forecast outcome for 1997-98, there are several important changes. A new general levy will be placed on insurance companies, similar to that which applies in New South Wales. The revenue will be earmarked to help partially fund the operations of the Territory's emergency services. The Government has also decided to increase the rate of stamp duty that is payable on luxury cars, valued at $45,000 or more, that are sold in the ACT from 1 July this year. A new regime of motor vehicle registration fees will commence from 1 September this year, reflecting the link between vehicle size and greenhouse emissions. The new fees will be levied according to the weight of the vehicle.

As part of the restructuring of car registration fees, I am pleased to announce that concessions for age, invalid and sole parent pensioners will increase from 50 per cent to 100 per cent from 1 September. Mr Speaker, this translates into a saving of $110 a year for an average four-cylinder car. As well, for the first time, a concession of 10 per cent will be available to holders of ACT seniors cards on one registration. I know that these two measures will provide some small but significant relief for those in our community living on fixed or lower incomes.

Mr Speaker, no new, major asset sales have been identified in this budget. Finally, in recognition of the growth in availability of all forms of gambling, the Government has made good its promise to increase funding for support services in this area. An additional $40,000 will be provided to the gambling and financial counselling service to help Lifeline better look after its clients.

Mr Speaker, I spoke earlier about the need for leadership and vision if we are to realise our goal of creating Australia's clever, caring capital. I believe that by going down the path that we have taken today, and during the next four years, we can create that future. It is my belief that by 2010, or just over 10 years from now, Canberra can be Australia's most vibrant, forward-looking city - a city that can stand on its own two feet, that is out from under the shadow of being solely a public service economy; a clever city with more high-tech jobs per capita than anywhere else in Australia and a strong export industry in research, development and advanced technology; a clever capital linked to Sydney by a high speed rail link and to the rest of the world by an international airport; a city with a clever government that leads the way with smart billing systems, individually-tailored services and almost instantaneous online communications with all of its constituents; but also a caring city that continues to provide high-quality health, education and local government services that are accessible to all Canberrans.

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