Page 1725 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 8 May 2013
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We are very pleased with the response of the private sector to the initiatives that are contained within the business development strategy, particularly with the engagement of small business and medium-sized business with our red tape reduction panel to identify regulations that impose unnecessary burdens on and costs and disadvantages to business activity in the ACT, and we are very pleased to be able to establish a single entry point for ACT businesses for all their interactions with the territory government that will make dealing with government simpler and easier.
Of course, we will continue our focus on tax reform, and I know those opposite are particularly interested in tax reform. We certainly look forward to instituting a further round of tax reforms in the coming budget. We have cut payroll tax, and we are the lowest taxing jurisdiction for businesses with a payroll of up to $4.7 million.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Treasurer, what impact will DV306 have on the territory’s economy and, in particular, the sale of Denman Prospect?
MR BARR: It is a hypothetical question, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Treasurer, what economic analysis has your department done on the impact of DV306 on employment, development, housing and land sales before it was approved by cabinet?
MR BARR: Cabinet undertakes a triple-bottom-line assessment of all proposals.
Sport—velodrome closure
MR DOSZPOT: My question is to the Minister for Sport and Recreation. The ACT’s only velodrome at Narrabundah was recently closed for an indefinite period because of safety concerns highlighted in a report given to government earlier this year. Given that any concerns with the track have existed since its construction in 1972, and you have acknowledged that it is an important facility for the ACT cycling community, why did you see fit to close the facility for an indefinite period without any warning to the cycling fraternity?
MR BARR: The government was provided with advice that certainly would have left us in a position of significant liability in relation to that particular piece of infrastructure. So the alternative scenario, Mr Doszpot, is that you would be asking me why I did not act upon that report and that advice. I have. I have determined that the restoration of this facility is a priority. Design work has already begun to restore the facility. The government will make resources available to ensure that the facility is restored as soon as possible. My expectation is that this work will be able to be completed in this calendar year.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
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