Page 2074 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 6 June 2018
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electorate that Mr Milligan and I share votes so strongly for the ALP, rejecting the anti-tram sentiment peddled by Mr Milligan and his Liberal Party colleagues. They know that this will benefit Gungahlin and they supported the party that would support them.
In his motion Mr Milligan compares the ACT light rail construction experience to that of Sydney light rail. I am shocked that he would make such a comparison. Unlike the Liberal government in New South Wales, we can run a contract on time. We can run a project on budget. And do you know what, Madam Speaker? We even have a minister that makes sure projects like light rail are delivered on time.
New South Wales is staring down the barrel of an extra $1 billion in cost overruns, along with months, and even years, of delays in its light rail project. If the Liberal Party cared about small business, it would make sure that its projects run on time. This is just a glimpse into the future if the Liberals ever get their hands on the levers of power. They will delay light rail, like their former leader Zed Seselja is trying to do right now—and, naturally, they will blow out the cost.
I did say in my opening remarks that this has not been an easy time for businesses along the light rail corridor and in the town centre. I acknowledge that. The ACT government acknowledges that. That is why the ACT government has been working with the Canberra Business Chamber through the light rail business link program. We do support these businesses.
This support includes funding for ongoing communications, industry collaboration and business support programs to mitigate impacts to business along the light rail corridor, helping these businesses get their message out that they are here, they are operating and they are offering valuable services. The ACT government is going forward. We are looking at more we can do to support these businesses, including a street party in Gungahlin later this year to celebrate just how far Gungahlin has come. I think there will be more to say on this in the coming months.
It is important to note that the Canberra Liberals seemingly come into this place every sitting week with only one demand, that the ACT government pay out to someone or something. They do not come into this place with ideas. They come in here asking for money. They are barely a political party. They are more a scraggly bunch of personal injury lawyers chasing a payout. If this is what they think government and fiscal responsibility look like, I do not think they will be sitting on the treasury bench anytime soon.
But more broadly, this ACT government has been making it easier for small business in the territory. We have the highest threshold for payroll tax in the country, at $2 million. This means that 91 per cent of ACT businesses do not pay payroll tax. From 1 July this year there will be no stamp duty on commercial properties up to $1.5 million, meaning 70 per cent of all commercial property purchasers will no longer pay stamp duty.
We have a one-stop shop at Access Canberra for all regulatory processes. We are also investing in innovative small business across the territory. We are doing lots for small
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