Page 1019 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 March 2019
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In September I presented a bill, and we now find that it has been copied, word for word, in this bill that is before us today. Obviously, a couple of things have been added to it. We have already spoken about some of the amendments. We do not really understand why we are bringing amendments forward to limit the effect of this measure. But I am pleased that we can do something positive and practical right now to mitigate the plight of at least some Canberrans.
When we tried to debate that bill, I recall interjections from the Chief Minister. I recall the Chief Minister screaming out to me that you could drive a truck through this bill. It has not changed a great deal since then, so I do not know whether or not we can park some trucks in it now.
When I presented the bill in September, I spoke of how it required no anguish or complex research, and I am somewhat amused to report that I was wrong on that point. In order to get this lazy excuse of a government to finally act on something that would provide relief to those in rental stress, some research was required. The research that was required was an opinion poll asking—and this was the question—“To what extent would you support a landlord to access land tax subsidies if they provide their properties to be rented out by community housing at below market rates?” We know that this measure is supported by almost 75 per cent of Canberrans, and that was what was required to get this government to act.
Perhaps we need some damning public opinion polls on violence in schools, the constant culture of bullying in our health system, the gun violence being perpetrated by outlaw motorcycle gangs, the spiralling, out-of-control rates or the lack of basic local services, before those opposite stop ignoring those issues that are unfolding right under their noses.
Instead of putting this into action six months ago and putting into practice real and tangible help to Canberrans under rental stress, we had to wait for an opinion poll to kick these guys into gear. I know it is quoted that we were not able to debate that bill back then; we had the chance as a chamber to step aside from those principles and make a decision as a group of adults to do it, but we chose not to take it.
The bill that I presented back then conceptually was quite simple, and it still is. I am not going to brush over those elements because it is getting late and it would just waste everybody’s time. I share the concerns of Mr Coe in regard to a number of the other aspects of the bill that fall outside my portfolio space. Again, as I said at the start, I find that it is nigh on impossible to consider this bill as a whole, because it has so many moving parts in so many different areas.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (5.33), in reply: I thank members for their contributions to the in-principle stage of the debate. As members have commented, the bill is an omnibus bill that delivers on a number of key themes. It ensures equity and fairness for all taxpayers, introducing measures that seek to achieve a better balance between those who dutifully pay their taxes in full and on time and those who do not. It promotes
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