Page 2986 - Week 07 - Thursday, 30 June 2011
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So that is what a responsible government does. Yes, fees and charges will increase. Rates will increase. As land values continue to increase, rates will increase. As the asset that householders own increases, they will pay more. But at the same time we are delivering more government services and more assistance to Canberrans who are in need. That is what a responsible government does, and I look forward to the Liberal Party’s support for the budget, and for all of that extra assistance to flow, in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
MR SPEAKER: Supplementary, Mr Seselja.
MR SESELJA: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Chief Minister, these increases come on top of a mining tax, a flood tax, a potential carbon tax, a new tax on units and apartments plus cuts in healthcare rebates and family tax benefits. What studies are included in your budget for the total of the tax changes and what effect they will have on the family budgets for those living in our suburbs?
MS GALLAGHER: I think I have answered this question. The government analyses all of our decisions and the impacts that they will have on all Canberrans, whether it be families or individuals, whether it be those on lower incomes or those on higher incomes or whether it be businesses operating in the territory. Those are at the heart of the budget deliberations. That is why we spend seven months putting the budget together every year. We spend more time putting the budget together than we do not dealing with budget matters, because of the importance of it.
We do recognise that for some Canberrans the pressure around cost of living has increased in recent years. That is exactly why the government has responded with $21 million extra going into our concessions program. It is interesting to note that in 2009-10 over $209 million was provided by the ACT community through the budget to provide support through the concessions program to those people in Canberra who do it tougher than we do. Some $24 million was provided in the form of concessions on government taxes, $121.9 million in concessions on government fees and charges, $113.3 million through rental rebates for public housing and $63.8 million for concessions and community service obligations.
We can see that the Canberra community is a generous one. We accept that government needs to raise revenue in order to deliver services, but at the same time, with that revenue, we need to make wise decisions where those who are doing it tough get some back in return.
MR SMYTH: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Chief Minister, from the analysis that you have now informed the Assembly that has been done and the briefing you mentioned cabinet was given, what is the impact of the 2011-12 budget on the Canberra family?
MS GALLAGHER: It would assist if you could identify the Canberra family that you are wanting that information for, because there are a range of —
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