Page 466 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 19 February 2020
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provide a motor vehicle stamp duty rebate of up to $100 for eligible vehicles, rebates for registration transfer fees and roadworthiness inspections, and backdating of registration cancellations. These measures should be in place by the end of February this year.
We recognise that fuel costs are a concern for many Canberrans. Following investigations into the ACT fuel market, the government will be asking the ICRC to regularly monitor, analyse and report on the Canberra fuel market, to allow increased transparency and accountability around fuel prices. We continue to explore further possibilities to reduce fuel costs, including further efforts to increase competition in the market as well as potentially joining the existing New South Wales FuelCheck scheme, which requires retailers to deliver real-time petrol pricing information to consumers.
Further, the government will provide cheaper parking at Canberra Stadium by reducing early bird parking fees to $5 for major fixtures, half the cost of regular parking.
The ACT government understands that financial pressures weigh on some more heavily than on others. We know that people with young families face unique challenges. As someone who has raised a young family, I understand the challenges of raising a young family. It is a stressful enough task, and financial burdens exacerbate this stress. This is why the government provides support with education costs for low income earners who are supporting full-time dependent students. We also assist with dental services for children and young people, as well as for adults and seniors holding Centrelink cards.
The ACT government is committed to assisting small business. In recent months, small businesses, both in Canberra and throughout the region, have faced a loss in revenue due to bushfires and, more recently, concerns over coronavirus. I have spoken to many business owners in Gungahlin who have seen a huge drop in trade over the past few months.
In order to combat this, the government has introduced a free 12-month trial for any new applicants for an outdoor dining period, allowing those applicants to offset some of the many costs associated with opening a new business. We are also giving a 50 per cent discount to businesses who already hold an outdoor dining permit, which will save thousands of dollars for businesses, and help cafes, restaurants and bars which have been negatively impacted by the many challenges the territory has faced this summer.
In conclusion, Canberra is a progressive and inclusive city. We understand that some Canberrans face more financial challenges than others. We are working to alleviate some of these challenges through government initiatives so that all Canberrans can live in and enjoy our beautiful city.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Advanced Technology and Space Industries, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (11.09): What
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