Page 1563 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 14 May 2019
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MR BARR: Madam Speaker, the imputation in the question from Mr Hanson was that the taxpayer in question, Carol, was paying both rates and land tax, which implies being a property owner and a property investor.
Mr Hanson: No, it could be the rates on the property that she rents.
MR BARR: If Carol is renting then those taxes are the responsibility of her landlord.
Mr Hanson: She owns and rents a property and she rents her principal place of residence.
Mr Coe: She rents and owns a property that she cannot live in.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Coe. Mr Hanson, you asked a question. The minister is on his feet answering.
MR BARR: Regardless of that—and there was not sufficient detail in the individual circumstances that Mr Hanson outlined—the government’s transition away from stamp duties, insurance taxes and payroll taxes is aimed at creating a fairer and more efficient tax system. Carol presumably consumes services in our city so she, like all other ratepayers, would be expected to contribute to those services. She is no longer paying tax on her insurance products, so presumably if she has motor vehicle insurance—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR BARR: I assume she has home and contents insurance. I assume she has building insurance on her rental property. So she is no longer paying tax on those properties, and that makes a considerable difference. And of course Carol, if she is eligible, has the capacity to apply for deferrals for those charges.
Mr Hanson: Death tax! There it is. Andrew Barr’s death tax.
MR BARR: She can apply for deferrals. But in the end what we are looking to achieve is a fairer tax system for all ratepayers. (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, I have asked you and asked you to stop your interjections. You are warned.
MR HANSON: Treasurer, what provisions has the government made for the increased number of self-funded retirees who will need to access concession schemes because of this Labor government’s policies?
MR BARR: I do not think that there is any evidence at this point to support the assertion by Mr Hanson that this in fact the case. The government provides a range of concessions and they are means tested. It is not just your age but it is your means. In terms of concessions, they are means tested.
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