Page 178 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 6 March 2007
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Differential rates will apply to properties in the retail core and non-retail areas. Residential properties will not be liable to the levy, as the levy applies only to rateable commercial land. Certain non-residential properties such as the sites of churches or schools located within the area will also not be liable. The levy will be billed and collected separately from rates and, as such, payment by instalments and discounts for early payment are not provided. It should be noted that under the Taxation Administration Act the Commissioner for ACT Revenue may enter into an arrangement with a taxpayer to extend the time for payment or accept payment by instalment, subject to any conditions that may be determined by the commissioner.
However, the enforcement provisions of the Rates Act do apply, allowing the imposition of interest on a monthly basis and ensuring that the levy is included as a charge on the land in order to secure outstanding debts attaching to a parcel of land. The bill’s passage will provide property owners in the collection area with some certainty. The legislation requires a commencement notice to activate it, which is a notifiable instrument.
During the debate I think the position of the parties in relation to this issue has been made clear. The government is determined to ensure that the heart of the city of Canberra—Civic, our civic and cultural centre—achieves a status that I think every Canberran wants for it. For 38 years, my entire time now as a Canberra citizen, I think there has been a debate around the nature, the status, the feel and the look of the heart of our city, namely, Civic. We have debated this issue round and round for years. In recent years very much of our focus has been on the Griffin legacy, the extent to which it can extend the city, and the extent to which we can ensure that Civic, the city area and heart of this city, creates a mass that is attractive, that is vital and that is vitalised rather than revitalised.
As a city centre, the city heart has always fallen short of our expectations and our aspirations as Canberrans. It is through the advocacy of the City Heart Association, Emmanuel Notaras and his constituents, that we have responded. We have responded to explicit representations, not just from those with businesses and property within the city or in the city heart but from all Canberrans, for a city heart of which they can be proud. It has not been easy. The government has expended significantly on seeking to upgrade and enhance Civic as a destination and as a place. We are making real progress but it can only be achieved finally as a partnership.
The Liberal Party opposition comes in here and denounces and criticises the aspirations of the two significant organisations that represent businesses and property owners within the city, namely, the Property Council of Australia, ACT division, and the City Heart Association. The Liberal Party despises and condemns the representations of those that most forcefully and centrally represent the interests of Civic businesses. It has put itself at odds with business representatives, the Property Council of Australia and the City Heart Association, and it does not understand the aspirations and hopes of all Canberra citizens.
This is not just about what businesses that operate within the city or property owners that have property in the city want and have expressed to us as their desire; this is also about what the rest of Canberra wants. It is about what I want as a citizen and as a
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