❓ Mr. Barnett questions the Premier about a potential luxury property tax and its impact on various suburbs. Dr. Gallop avoids a direct answer, criticizes the previous government's financial management, and promises a fair budget.
AnsweredQoN 335Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LUXURY PROPERTY TAX 335. Mr BARNETT to the Premier: (1) Will the Premier end speculation over his Government’s proposed introduction of the so-called luxury property tax on Western Australian family homes? (2) Is he aware that the so-called luxury property tax will impact on residents in not only Dalkeith and Peppermint Grove, but also a raft of suburbs throughout the State in which residential property values are fast approaching, or have already exceeded, the $1 million mark, including Applecross, Attadale, Bassendean, Bicton, City Beach, Claremont, Connolly, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Dianella, East Fremantle, East Perth, Guildford, Hillarys, Maddington, Marmion, Mosman Park, Mt Claremont, Mt Lawley, Mt Pleasant, North Fremantle, Shelley, Shenton Park, South Perth, Subiaco, Swanbourne and Wembley? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition understands only too well that the budget will be brought down on Thursday. That is when the Treasurer of this State, who is doing an excellent job fixing up the mess this Government inherited from the previous Government, will announce all the expenditure and revenue measures. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
LUXURY PROPERTY TAX
(1) Will the Premier end speculation over his Government’s proposed introduction of the so-called luxury property tax on Western Australian family homes? (2) Is he aware that the so-called luxury property tax will impact on residents in not only Dalkeith and Peppermint Grove, but also a raft of suburbs throughout the State in which residential property values are fast approaching, or have already exceeded, the $1 million mark, including Applecross, Attadale, Bassendean, Bicton, City Beach, Claremont, Connolly, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Dianella, East Fremantle, East Perth, Guildford, Hillarys, Maddington, Marmion, Mosman Park, Mt Claremont, Mt Lawley, Mt Pleasant, North Fremantle, Shelley, Shenton Park, South Perth, Subiaco, Swanbourne and Wembley? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition understands only too well that the budget will be brought down on Thursday. That is when the Treasurer of this State, who is doing an excellent job fixing up the mess this Government inherited from the previous Government, will announce all the expenditure and revenue measures. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
(2) Is he aware that the so-called luxury property tax will impact on residents in not only Dalkeith and Peppermint Grove, but also a raft of suburbs throughout the State in which residential property values are fast approaching, or have already exceeded, the $1 million mark, including Applecross, Attadale, Bassendean, Bicton, City Beach, Claremont, Connolly, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Dianella, East Fremantle, East Perth, Guildford, Hillarys, Maddington, Marmion, Mosman Park, Mt Claremont, Mt Lawley, Mt Pleasant, North Fremantle, Shelley, Shenton Park, South Perth, Subiaco, Swanbourne and Wembley? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition understands only too well that the budget will be brought down on Thursday. That is when the Treasurer of this State, who is doing an excellent job fixing up the mess this Government inherited from the previous Government, will announce all the expenditure and revenue measures. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition understands only too well that the budget will be brought down on Thursday. That is when the Treasurer of this State, who is doing an excellent job fixing up the mess this Government inherited from the previous Government, will announce all the expenditure and revenue measures. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
(1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition understands only too well that the budget will be brought down on Thursday. That is when the Treasurer of this State, who is doing an excellent job fixing up the mess this Government inherited from the previous Government, will announce all the expenditure and revenue measures. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
LUXURY PROPERTY TAX
(1) Will the Premier end speculation over his Government’s proposed introduction of the so-called luxury property tax on Western Australian family homes? (2) Is he aware that the so-called luxury property tax will impact on residents in not only Dalkeith and Peppermint Grove, but also a raft of suburbs throughout the State in which residential property values are fast approaching, or have already exceeded, the $1 million mark, including Applecross, Attadale, Bassendean, Bicton, City Beach, Claremont, Connolly, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Dianella, East Fremantle, East Perth, Guildford, Hillarys, Maddington, Marmion, Mosman Park, Mt Claremont, Mt Lawley, Mt Pleasant, North Fremantle, Shelley, Shenton Park, South Perth, Subiaco, Swanbourne and Wembley? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition understands only too well that the budget will be brought down on Thursday. That is when the Treasurer of this State, who is doing an excellent job fixing up the mess this Government inherited from the previous Government, will announce all the expenditure and revenue measures. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
(2) Is he aware that the so-called luxury property tax will impact on residents in not only Dalkeith and Peppermint Grove, but also a raft of suburbs throughout the State in which residential property values are fast approaching, or have already exceeded, the $1 million mark, including Applecross, Attadale, Bassendean, Bicton, City Beach, Claremont, Connolly, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Dianella, East Fremantle, East Perth, Guildford, Hillarys, Maddington, Marmion, Mosman Park, Mt Claremont, Mt Lawley, Mt Pleasant, North Fremantle, Shelley, Shenton Park, South Perth, Subiaco, Swanbourne and Wembley? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition understands only too well that the budget will be brought down on Thursday. That is when the Treasurer of this State, who is doing an excellent job fixing up the mess this Government inherited from the previous Government, will announce all the expenditure and revenue measures. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition understands only too well that the budget will be brought down on Thursday. That is when the Treasurer of this State, who is doing an excellent job fixing up the mess this Government inherited from the previous Government, will announce all the expenditure and revenue measures. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
(1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition understands only too well that the budget will be brought down on Thursday. That is when the Treasurer of this State, who is doing an excellent job fixing up the mess this Government inherited from the previous Government, will announce all the expenditure and revenue measures. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
Dr GALLOP: As the Americans say when they arrive with their warships, “we will neither confirm nor deny” any tax measures in the budget. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has said that should such a tax be introduced, it would indicate how greedy the current Labor Government is. Let us check the record. Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
Mr Barnett: Greedy and nasty. Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
Dr GALLOP: He said that it would be greedy and nasty. I refer to the budgets introduced by the previous Government, of which the current Leader of the Opposition was a member. In 1993-94 the tobacco franchise fee was doubled, raising $528 million over four years. In 1994-95 the fuel franchise fee was increased by 4c a litre, raising $301 million over four years. Over the following two years no taxes were increased. However, the coalition Government made up for it in the two years after that. In 1997-98 the debits tax was doubled, and motor vehicle licence fees were increased by 20 per cent, which raised $295 million over four years. In 1998-99 - not too long ago - stamp duty rates on conveyances were increased by 12.5 per cent and stamp duty rates on insurance policies were increased. Family motor vehicle licences were increased by 64 per cent. The concessions on diesel and intrastate heavy vehicles were removed. The nominal stamp duty was increased and a gold royalty was introduced. The revenue from those measures totalled $894 million over four years. In 1999-2000 stamp duty on motor vehicle purchases was increased, which raised $108 million over four years. When this Government’s budget is brought down on Thursday, the approach adopted by members opposite, which was that ordinary families and small businesses in Western Australia be taxed to make sure the previous Government’s incompetence could be funded, will not happen, due to the measures applied by this side of the House. With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
With regard to incompetence, I refer to the record of the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
The SPEAKER: The level of interjections is reaching an unacceptable point early in this question time. I am sure the Opposition wants question time to run for its normal time. I call the Premier. Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
Dr GALLOP: The credibility of the Opposition was revealed very interestingly today by Mr Alan Wood in The Australian . He wrote - The profligacy of the Court government, including Barnett’s as a minister, means he has no credibility and some risible stumbles over budget figures haven’t helped. Alan Wood went on to point out that the figures that the Leader of the Opposition was using the other day to try to make a point were simply wrong. Mr Wood wrote - The figures come from estimates prepared by the Treasury in its pre-election financial statement, specifically its estimates of general government cash flows. Barnett, unfortunately, picked out the wrong line from the table. In the previous Government, the Treasurer of this State denied there was a deficit. The former Minister assisting the Treasurer could not tell this Parliament what a deficit is, and now the Leader of the Opposition and Treasury spokesperson cannot point to the right line in the budget papers to figure out what a deficit is and what a surplus is. No wonder the books were in such a mess. I can assure the House that the Government will fix up the books in a way that is fair and responsible for all Western Australians.
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