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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 5 Hansard (26 August) . . Page.. 1353 ..

MR SPEAKER: As long as it applies to the ACT, Chief Minister.

Mr Quinlan: It does. As it applies to the ACT.

MS CARNELL: If you wanted to be extraordinarily liberal with this approach, Mr Speaker, I suspect that there could be some fairly interesting questions about the election policies of our Federal colleagues from time to time. I think, Mr Speaker, that Mr Quinlan's comments suggest that he has become confused between the cost effect and the price effect of the GST. The estimated effect on the cost of government is actually minus 1.9 per cent, which is on page 169, I understand, whereas the estimated effect on the price to the consumer of government services is actually plus 7.9 per cent, which is on page 172. Mr Quinlan seemed to be suggesting the opposite - that the cost of government would increase by 7.9 per cent.

Mr Speaker, I think the 7.9 per cent figure of the estimated cost of government services seems somewhat high. We are doing some extra work to determine just what is involved in that figure. Certainly, the estimated effect on the cost of government is minus 1.9 per cent.

MR QUINLAN: I have a supplementary question. Given that, quite obviously, there is some work being done on this and estimating its effects, can you give us an assurance that you will bring the results of that modelling to this place as soon as possible?

MS CARNELL: Yes, absolutely, Mr Speaker. Just to clarify that, 7.9 per cent is the cost of government services across the counter. I think you understood that is what I meant, not the cost of doing government. I think that is exactly the point I made earlier. The cost of government is minus 1.9 per cent. The cost of government services is plus 7.9 per cent, Mr Speaker.

MR RUGENDYKE: Mr Speaker, my question is to Mr Smyth, the Urban Services Minister. Minister, in relation to the $30,000 change of use charge to enable Casino Canberra to have a licensed club within its premises, was revenue from rent that could be charged to the licensed club taken into consideration in the calculation of that fee?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I will have to seek more information on that, Mr Rugendyke.

MR RUGENDYKE: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Minister, could you also find out whether the Government is taking any measures to receive any portion of the rent the casino may receive from having the club on its premises?

MR SMYTH: I will take that on notice as well, Mr Speaker.

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