Page 1857 - Week 06 - Thursday, 5 June 2014
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MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Gentleman.
MR GENTLEMAN: Treasurer, what is the importance of this tax reform for the ACT?
MR BARR: Critically, this tax reform unlocks a deadweight burden on our economy. It allows us to grow faster than we would otherwise, and in the first five years of tax reform that is worth about $170 million to the territory economy. It is a fundamental point: if we need to raise a certain level of revenue—and I do not hear those opposite arguing that this community needs less services, but we might hear that from the Leader of the Opposition in his reply to the budget—surely we should use the best and most efficient forms of taxation available to us rather than the worst and most inefficient. What is so hypocritical about the Leader of the Opposition in particular is that on ABC radio this year with me he said he supported tax reform, he wanted it, it should be supported and that the Henry tax reforms should be implemented. Well, they are being implemented here.
MADAM SPEAKER: Have you got a point of order, Mr Hanson?
Mr Hanson: A point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Sit down, Mr Barr. Stop the clock, please. Mr Hanson, before you start, I remind members that if they have a point of order they need to say they have a point of order when they stand.
Mr Hanson: My apologies, Madam Speaker. Could you ask Mr Barr to withdraw the accusation that I was being hypocritical?
MADAM SPEAKER: I must say that I did not notice it, but if you did make that accusation, it is unparliamentary, Mr Barr, and you should withdraw.
MR BARR: I withdraw, Madam Speaker. The Leader of the Opposition in his comments on ABC radio when he was standing next to me in the studio indicated support for the Henry tax reforms and that we needed a systemic response to tax reform. That is what we are getting in the ACT—structural tax reform.
Ms Gallagher: I nearly crashed my car when I heard that.
MR BARR: We were all a little astounded. There was a little moment where the Leader of the Opposition stated the true position. The political facade was stripped away and we saw a glimpse of the true Jeremy Hanson, the inner reformer, the guy who actually really does want to do the best thing by his community and this economy. But now what we see is reversion to type—the standard opposition for opposition’s sake, the same tired, old rhetoric reliving past failed election campaigns. It is the same sort of tired rhetoric from the Leader of the Opposition.
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