Page 2636 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 11 August 2015
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We saw in budget estimates last year one of the fabulous quotes that Mr Barr made in reference to how someone might be able to continue to afford living in Canberra as costs continue to increase. He suggested that they get a job and get a good union. This year we had the statement about pay parking in the city at night-time and the rebuttal was: “It is nearly the cost of a bottle of sparkling water. People can afford it.” It highlights just how out of touch Andrew Barr is.
I do not know who Andrew Barr’s constituency is or who he gets talking to out in the community, but I can certainly say that when I am down at Chisholm, Calwell, Lanyon shops or even at Erindale, people are not saying that they are going out to lavish dinners where they are serving sparkling water. They are struggling to make ends meet.
That is the case particularly when you get talking to self-funded retirees. These are people that have worked exceptionally hard to provide for themselves in their retirement. They have done the right thing by everyone. They are not trying to get a free ride on the taxpayer. They have looked after themselves; they have paid their taxes; they have put a bit away for a rainy day. They hit their retirement and they think, “We have got a modest income we can survive on for the rest of our days.” Then they see things like tax reform and what is happening with rates. They have paid their stamp duty and the rates are a modest amount each year for the services they receive. That is okay. But as rates start to double, triple and, god forbid, continue on further, maybe even go up four times, these people are left wondering, “How on earth am I going to afford to keep my family home?” They are wondering how on earth they are going to afford to keep any home in the city in which they have spent so much of their careers and lives.
That highlights just how out of touch, how outdated this government are. They have been in office for too long. They have lost control of what the community expects. It is well and truly time that an alternative was given a chance.
Mr Doszpot: I seek leave to speak again.
Leave not granted.
Mr Doszpot: Madam Speaker, can I clarify a point? I only spoke for 10 minutes and an additional five minutes—
MADAM SPEAKER: I am sorry, Mr Doszpot—
Mr Doszpot: I intended at all times to continue. To continue for five minutes is all I am seeking.
Mr Barr interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Barr. Sit down please, Mr Doszpot. Mr Doszpot, you have been recorded as having spoken twice. If you did not take all of the time allotted at the time, I cannot do anything about that. The standing orders do not provide for that. Leave has not been granted.
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