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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 13 Hansard (26 November) . . Page.. 4718 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

approach to providing concessions to reduce the impact of rates for those on lower incomes is implemented in the ACT.

I note comments made by Ms Dundas about the current concessions and her assessment that they only offer a relatively small level of concession, and this at a time when rates in some parts of the ACT are at extremely high levels. Further, the current concessions only apply to pensioners, when there may very well be other groups that could warrant having access to some measure of concession.

Mr Speaker, members may recall that, when the Treasurer responded to this motion, he noted that the government was already undertaking a review of the rating system, and included in that review was a consideration of an appropriate system of concessions. I would support the comment made by the Treasurer that the government undertake a review of the concession arrangements for ratepayers in the context of the broader review of the rating system.

At the same time, Mr Speaker, I do not accept the proposal from the Treasurer that the question of rates concessions should be referred to the Public Accounts Committee. I note that the Treasurer made a number of comments as recently as last week to the effect that this Assembly was placing an unnecessary workload on the bureaucracy, to the detriment of the role of the bureaucracy to serve the executive.

Mr Speaker, we make no apologies for the position that we have adopted on this matter. I have no doubt that it is quite appropriate for the relevant agency to undertake the research necessary to prepare a report on the rating systems and associated concession arrangements. As members serving on committees would be aware of the workload that committees have, although their support is extremely well given and well valued by committee members, the support we have and the resources we have are extremely limited compared to the resources of the government.

We would all acknowledge that devising the most appropriate rating system is fraught with many complex issues, as competing interests and circumstances are balanced and important outcomes of fairness and equity are sought.

The only concern I had with the motion from Ms Dundas was whether her suggestion of the Assembly receiving a report on the last sitting day of this calendar year was realistic. Therefore, I am pleased, Mr Speaker, to see that Ms Dundas has moved an amendment that would require the government to respond to this request when it responds to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts inquiry on revenue-raising issues in the ACT. So the impetus is there also on me to make sure that that report is given quickly as well. It should be received by the end of this year.

So it may be reasonable for the Treasurer to initially provide an update on the work that is being undertaken on the matter, and I am sure all members would like to have such an update. Notwithstanding that, the opposition will be accepting Ms Dundas's amendment to her own motion.

Mr Speaker, there is an aspect to this motion that I do want to comment on as part of the debate, and this relates to the way in which any concessions are provided. Mr Speaker,

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