Page 65 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 9 February 2016
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Given what we have seen in the last 48 hours or so, where it would appear various elements of tax reform have started to come off the table at a national level, I do, again, remind members of the Prime Minister’s comments on the Insiders program on Sunday morning. He commended not only the policy direction of the ACT’s tax reforms and said very clearly that every economist in the world would recognise the policy merits—
Mr Smyth: In the world—every one?
MR BARR: Every economist; yes, they were—
Mr Smyth: Every economist in the world?
MR BARR: They were the words of the Prime Minister—every economist would recognise—
Mr Smyth: No, no, you just said every economist in the world.
MR BARR: Every economist would recognise—
Mr Smyth: Gilding the lily, are we?
MR BARR: I am not sure that there are economists—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Barr, sit down, please, for a moment. Mr Smyth, this is not a question and answer time. Question time has actually finished. So unless you have a point of order, would you please allow Mr Barr to continue to present his statement in silence. Mr Barr.
MR BARR: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As I was saying, the Prime Minister in his statement on the Insiders program over the weekend did, in fact, say-let me get the quote exactly so that we can share it with the shadow treasurer:
There are tax reform changes, particularly at the state level, which every economist will tell you would give you a very significant lift to GDP.
Mr Smyth: But he didn’t say “in the world”.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Smyth!
MR BARR: “Which every economist”; I am not sure that there are economists operating outside of planet earth, Madam Deputy Speaker. If there are, I am sure the shadow treasurer is consulting with them
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MR BARR: That would explain his economic policies.
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