Page 2902 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 6 August 2008
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citing a whole range of other matters but he is yet to say what his commentary is on this levy bill per se.
MR SPEAKER: Remain relevant, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: As I said, Mr Speaker, the government has put in place a number of levies and taxes that have been inefficient and poorly thought out and that have had a detrimental effect on the community. I am not just highlighting it. If he wants specific examples on the failure of the fire and emergency services levy, it is quite clear. I would like to read from the pre-budget submission from the Property Council. Let me read some of what they say:
In some cases in the ACT, rates have increased on commercial properties by 60 per cent—
that is fair and equitable: 60 per cent!—
partly as a result of the imposition of the FESL—
the fire and emergency services levy—
the St. George Centre for example, had its rates bill increase in 2006-07 by $24,000 from its base of $45,000 …
Did they get any extra service for that? Did they get better service for that? The answer is no. That was an increase of 53 per cent. What about the AMP building, for instance? The document says:
The AMP Building had its rates bill increase—
because of the fire and emergency services levy—
in the same year by 55 per cent.
Fifty-five per cent, Mr Speaker! Remember that on 26 May 2000 the Chief Minister said, “We need … low tax rates.” It is worth noting that the 2006-07 budget claimed an average commercial rate increase of $442. You have to look at these things and truly question the ability of this government to deliver tax reform at all.
The Property Council submission goes on to say:
On a reasonably modest commercial property with an unimproved value of $3m, the FESL—
fire and emergency services levy—
alone would represent an additional cost of $14,518 for which there is no offset or benefit.
What happens when you go through the taxes and the levies that this government has put in place? For instance, there is the city heart levy, which failed and took several
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