Page 3211 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 20 August 2019

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video

---

MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (5.26): We wholeheartedly support the title of this bill. We think it accurately captures what the government is intending to do, so we are on a unity ticket with the government. When it comes to the title, Appropriation Bill 2019-2020, we are of one mind.

I too want to extend my thanks to all those involved in the government and in the Assembly with regard to the preparation of the bill and the analysis of the bill through the committee process; to the estimates committee, chaired by Miss Burch; to all the MLAs who have contributed to the debate; to all our staff who have worked long hours in order to prepare questions and analyse the documents; to the Assembly staff, especially those involved with the select committee; and especially to the treasury staff, who put in a huge amount of work in order to present this bill each year.

The Canberra Liberals have real concerns about the level of taxation: the rates, fees and charges that Canberrans pay. It seems that this government treats the average Canberra household like an ATM. They just keep withdrawing and withdrawing. There comes a point when the government need to actually consider the impact that they are having, particularly on the lower couple of quintiles when it comes to income. Whilst there are many families in Canberra who can manage the cost of living in this city, there are of course many who cannot. This government seems quite determined to increase the number of working poor in this city. We think this budget does nothing—if not does the opposite—to help people get back on their feet and to get ahead.

We think there is a real question of justice, a real question of fairness and a real question of respect with regard to the priorities of this government. To that end, we cannot support a budget that increases the rates, taxes, fees and charges and does so little to ease the cost of living in the ACT.

Title agreed to.

Question put:

That this bill be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to.

---

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video