Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .
Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 10 Hansard (18 October) . . Page.. 3162 ..
Mr Speaker, in order to maintain the regulation's effect, and to provide ongoing certainty for gaming machine operators, it is proposed that the amendment will be taken to have commenced on 1 November 2000.
Finally Mr Speaker, advice from the ACT Government Solicitor's office has confirmed that where a person purchases a property that is already tenanted and the new owner continues that tenancy, the Commissioner for ACT Revenue is not required to be informed, for land tax purposes, because there is no change in circumstances surrounding the use of the property.
Unfortunately Mr Speaker, in these circumstances, there is no obligation under the Rates and Land Tax Act on the new owner to notify the Commissioner that the property is liable for land tax. Consequently, the new owner may delay or avoid land tax and effectively transferring the onus of detection and liability notification to the Commissioner.
This Bill therefore proposes to amend the Rates and Land Tax Act to provide that if a person becomes the owner of land that is subject to land tax, and the land continues to be subject to land tax under the new ownership, that person must notify the Commissioner of that fact.
In conclusion, Mr Speaker, it is anticipated that this omnibus legislation will become a regular feature of the legislative program and will obviate the need to present numerous minor bills into the Assembly and therefore contribute to the more efficient passage of Assembly business.
Debate (on motion by Mr Quinlan ) adjourned.
Mr Humphries presented the bill and its explanatory memorandum.
Title read by Acting Clerk.
MR HUMPHRIES (Chief Minister ) (11.27): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
I seek leave to have my presentation speech incorporated in Hansard.
Leave granted.
The speech read as follows:
Mr Speaker, this Bill amends the Rates and Land Rent (Relief) Act 1970 (the Act) to provide all persons in the ACT holding a Gold Card issued by the Commonwealth Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA); with the same land rates concessions provided to pensioners and other recipients of Social Security benefits and allowances specified under the Act.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .