Page 3242 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 22 August 2012
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MR SMYTH: I am not sure that it is. The tabling speech goes on to say:
The commissioner has a discretion to exclude a member from a group where they operate independently. … The bill widens this discretion …
That is part of the problem. There is uncertainty over the discretion that the commissioner is exercising. I am simply saying that, given this has come about quite late in the term, if you want I can duck out tonight and get a bill drafted and I can bring it in tomorrow. Like Mr Corbell, I am sure I would be given the same consideration to table a bill in a sitting period and then have it passed in the same sitting period, if that is what you want, Ms Hunter. But I actually think, one, I would not get leave and, two, we would not be debating it, I suspect, because that would not suit your purpose.
You create a situation of uncertainty for people. We talk about the new way of politics. The new way of politics only seems to be the Greens way of politics and it only applies to the Greens. When somebody puts together a reasonable suggestion that avoids additional red tape and additional burden, somehow that is political interference. It is not. Here is a new way of doing something. Why do you not give it a try? There you go: here is a new way. But of course that is not going to happen, is it, minister? That is not going to happen, is it, Ms Hunter? No, of course it is not.
Ms Hunter, I can only assume you have not read this motion. When I get the Hansard in the morning I will make sure everybody knows that your understanding of this was so shallow and so infirm as to be ridiculous. What it says is that the Assembly affirms its commitment to all businesses paying their tax in accordance with the law. That is fantastic. Paragraph (2)(a) through to (e) outlines the history of this and some of the things that have been raised with me as matters.
I have spoken now to half a dozen different firms of varying sizes, most of whom are of long standing in the territory, who have been slammed with rather large payroll tax bills for things that really come down to a discretion inside the department that they do not feel is being applied consistently. They feel that it is inconsistent with New South Wales. But if we cannot sit down and have a discussion about this then after the election when the next opportunity will occur we will bring back some legislation and we will change the things that are making it difficult for businesses in the ACT.
Mr Barr interjecting—
MR SMYTH: I said I would bring back legislation.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Barr!
Mr Barr interjecting—
MR SMYTH: I said I would bring back legislation.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Smyth and Mr Barr, you are not going to have a conversation across the chamber. This is not a discussion.
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