Page 1874 - Week 05 - Thursday, 6 May 2010
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MS GALLAGHER: I can. If I could just complete around taxation, if you look at the decade again that Mr Seselja draws our attention to, taxation as a share of GDP has fallen from three per cent to 2.6 per cent and, compared to a 10-year average share, 2010-11 is 0.1 per cent lower. So I think that just debunks the myth that Mr Seselja is putting out that we are taxing greater than ever. When you look at what the facts are, when you accept the reality that the cost of delivering services has grown, the fact is that we have sought to keep taxation revenue as low as we can and we have exercised restraint in this area.
Again, I go back and look at the graphs that the Liberals have put out and actually look at the real picture. I think Mr Seselja tried to run a line yesterday that the GFC had had absolutely no impact on our revenue at all. The 2008-09 budget forecast revenue from 2009-10 to 2011-12 to be $3.595 billion. In 2010-11, the budget, without stimulus, is $3.598 billion, almost exactly the same, despite the extra expenditure that we have put in in delivering services and the cost of delivering services. They are the facts.
You cannot sit there and say that taxation revenue has grown faster than ever and that we have got deficits of this order when the facts simply do not support that. The extra investment in services and demand for government continues to grow.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, one moment. Mr Seselja, you have been constantly shouting across the chamber today. You are now warned. Mr Smyth?
MR SMYTH: Treasurer, which of the figures presented in the Liberal documents yesterday are therefore incorrect?
MS GALLAGHER: As I said, when you actually look through the details of it, and indeed the revenue, I have not hidden behind the communist—commonwealth stimulus money—
Opposition members interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: Actually, I am perhaps the person most comfortable—
Opposition members interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: I am perhaps the person most comfortable with the communist—
Mr Hargreaves: Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, members!
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! Thank you, members.
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