❓ Opposition Leader Barnett questions Premier Gallop about alleged tax increases and budget surplus. Gallop deflects, accusing the opposition of pre-election concealment and highlighting tax cuts and abolished taxes under his government.
AnsweredQoN 511Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I remind the Premier of his broken promise not to increase taxes and charges and refer him to the $115 million, $119 million, and $175 million tax increases in Labor’s first three budgets, a massive tax grab totalling more than $400 million. (1) Will the combined full-year effect of the tax increases for 2003-04 result in an ultimate tax collection increase of well above $400 million? (2) Will this tax grab, combined with the windfall goods and services tax payment of an extra $231 million from the Commonwealth, mean that the budget surplus for 2003-04 is likely to exceed $600 million? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) Firstly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition of the concealment that took place before the last state election when commitments that were made in the processes of government were not revealed to the people of Western Australia. We inherited that budget black hole when we came to government. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the last state budget provided significant tax cuts for the people of Western Australia, particularly in respect of stamp duty for first home buyers. I also remind the Leader of the Opposition of the six state taxes that have been, or will be, abolished under the Labor Administration, which is something that the previous Government could not do. I have established an important principle for whenever the Opposition quotes figures: I do not respond without first checking its figures. I always check the figures because the Opposition cannot add up. That is an important principle. When it comes to the decisions that this Government makes about expenditure and the taxes it collects, we always start with the principle of looking after families. We have met our commitment to keep increases in household charges for major government services below the rate of inflation. Secondly, we make sure that the money is spent where it needs to be spent. Our priorities are health, education and the police. I will be very happy to go into the election campaign and defend every budget decision that this Government has made. I now refer to the financial state of Western Australia. It is true that our State is enjoying strong growth; that is reflected in the revenue that is going back to the people of Western Australia. Tax cuts were made in the last budget because we had the capacity to make them. The previous Government had deficit after deficit after deficit; therefore, it had no capacity to make tax cuts. The Labor Government has delivered for the people of Western Australia in its major priorities. When we have had the capacity, we have reduced taxes, particularly stamp duty for first home buyers. We will be very happy to put our financial record alongside the Liberal Party’s financial record at the next state election. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
(1) Will the combined full-year effect of the tax increases for 2003-04 result in an ultimate tax collection increase of well above $400 million? (2) Will this tax grab, combined with the windfall goods and services tax payment of an extra $231 million from the Commonwealth, mean that the budget surplus for 2003-04 is likely to exceed $600 million? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Firstly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition of the concealment that took place before the last state election when commitments that were made in the processes of government were not revealed to the people of Western Australia. We inherited that budget black hole when we came to government. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the last state budget provided significant tax cuts for the people of Western Australia, particularly in respect of stamp duty for first home buyers. I also remind the Leader of the Opposition of the six state taxes that have been, or will be, abolished under the Labor Administration, which is something that the previous Government could not do. I have established an important principle for whenever the Opposition quotes figures: I do not respond without first checking its figures. I always check the figures because the Opposition cannot add up. That is an important principle. When it comes to the decisions that this Government makes about expenditure and the taxes it collects, we always start with the principle of looking after families. We have met our commitment to keep increases in household charges for major government services below the rate of inflation. Secondly, we make sure that the money is spent where it needs to be spent. Our priorities are health, education and the police. I will be very happy to go into the election campaign and defend every budget decision that this Government has made. I now refer to the financial state of Western Australia. It is true that our State is enjoying strong growth; that is reflected in the revenue that is going back to the people of Western Australia. Tax cuts were made in the last budget because we had the capacity to make them. The previous Government had deficit after deficit after deficit; therefore, it had no capacity to make tax cuts. The Labor Government has delivered for the people of Western Australia in its major priorities. When we have had the capacity, we have reduced taxes, particularly stamp duty for first home buyers. We will be very happy to put our financial record alongside the Liberal Party’s financial record at the next state election. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
(2) Will this tax grab, combined with the windfall goods and services tax payment of an extra $231 million from the Commonwealth, mean that the budget surplus for 2003-04 is likely to exceed $600 million? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Firstly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition of the concealment that took place before the last state election when commitments that were made in the processes of government were not revealed to the people of Western Australia. We inherited that budget black hole when we came to government. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the last state budget provided significant tax cuts for the people of Western Australia, particularly in respect of stamp duty for first home buyers. I also remind the Leader of the Opposition of the six state taxes that have been, or will be, abolished under the Labor Administration, which is something that the previous Government could not do. I have established an important principle for whenever the Opposition quotes figures: I do not respond without first checking its figures. I always check the figures because the Opposition cannot add up. That is an important principle. When it comes to the decisions that this Government makes about expenditure and the taxes it collects, we always start with the principle of looking after families. We have met our commitment to keep increases in household charges for major government services below the rate of inflation. Secondly, we make sure that the money is spent where it needs to be spent. Our priorities are health, education and the police. I will be very happy to go into the election campaign and defend every budget decision that this Government has made. I now refer to the financial state of Western Australia. It is true that our State is enjoying strong growth; that is reflected in the revenue that is going back to the people of Western Australia. Tax cuts were made in the last budget because we had the capacity to make them. The previous Government had deficit after deficit after deficit; therefore, it had no capacity to make tax cuts. The Labor Government has delivered for the people of Western Australia in its major priorities. When we have had the capacity, we have reduced taxes, particularly stamp duty for first home buyers. We will be very happy to put our financial record alongside the Liberal Party’s financial record at the next state election. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Firstly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition of the concealment that took place before the last state election when commitments that were made in the processes of government were not revealed to the people of Western Australia. We inherited that budget black hole when we came to government. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the last state budget provided significant tax cuts for the people of Western Australia, particularly in respect of stamp duty for first home buyers. I also remind the Leader of the Opposition of the six state taxes that have been, or will be, abolished under the Labor Administration, which is something that the previous Government could not do. I have established an important principle for whenever the Opposition quotes figures: I do not respond without first checking its figures. I always check the figures because the Opposition cannot add up. That is an important principle. When it comes to the decisions that this Government makes about expenditure and the taxes it collects, we always start with the principle of looking after families. We have met our commitment to keep increases in household charges for major government services below the rate of inflation. Secondly, we make sure that the money is spent where it needs to be spent. Our priorities are health, education and the police. I will be very happy to go into the election campaign and defend every budget decision that this Government has made. I now refer to the financial state of Western Australia. It is true that our State is enjoying strong growth; that is reflected in the revenue that is going back to the people of Western Australia. Tax cuts were made in the last budget because we had the capacity to make them. The previous Government had deficit after deficit after deficit; therefore, it had no capacity to make tax cuts. The Labor Government has delivered for the people of Western Australia in its major priorities. When we have had the capacity, we have reduced taxes, particularly stamp duty for first home buyers. We will be very happy to put our financial record alongside the Liberal Party’s financial record at the next state election. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
(1)-(2) Firstly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition of the concealment that took place before the last state election when commitments that were made in the processes of government were not revealed to the people of Western Australia. We inherited that budget black hole when we came to government. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the last state budget provided significant tax cuts for the people of Western Australia, particularly in respect of stamp duty for first home buyers. I also remind the Leader of the Opposition of the six state taxes that have been, or will be, abolished under the Labor Administration, which is something that the previous Government could not do. I have established an important principle for whenever the Opposition quotes figures: I do not respond without first checking its figures. I always check the figures because the Opposition cannot add up. That is an important principle. When it comes to the decisions that this Government makes about expenditure and the taxes it collects, we always start with the principle of looking after families. We have met our commitment to keep increases in household charges for major government services below the rate of inflation. Secondly, we make sure that the money is spent where it needs to be spent. Our priorities are health, education and the police. I will be very happy to go into the election campaign and defend every budget decision that this Government has made. I now refer to the financial state of Western Australia. It is true that our State is enjoying strong growth; that is reflected in the revenue that is going back to the people of Western Australia. Tax cuts were made in the last budget because we had the capacity to make them. The previous Government had deficit after deficit after deficit; therefore, it had no capacity to make tax cuts. The Labor Government has delivered for the people of Western Australia in its major priorities. When we have had the capacity, we have reduced taxes, particularly stamp duty for first home buyers. We will be very happy to put our financial record alongside the Liberal Party’s financial record at the next state election. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
(1) Will the combined full-year effect of the tax increases for 2003-04 result in an ultimate tax collection increase of well above $400 million? (2) Will this tax grab, combined with the windfall goods and services tax payment of an extra $231 million from the Commonwealth, mean that the budget surplus for 2003-04 is likely to exceed $600 million? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Firstly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition of the concealment that took place before the last state election when commitments that were made in the processes of government were not revealed to the people of Western Australia. We inherited that budget black hole when we came to government. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the last state budget provided significant tax cuts for the people of Western Australia, particularly in respect of stamp duty for first home buyers. I also remind the Leader of the Opposition of the six state taxes that have been, or will be, abolished under the Labor Administration, which is something that the previous Government could not do. I have established an important principle for whenever the Opposition quotes figures: I do not respond without first checking its figures. I always check the figures because the Opposition cannot add up. That is an important principle. When it comes to the decisions that this Government makes about expenditure and the taxes it collects, we always start with the principle of looking after families. We have met our commitment to keep increases in household charges for major government services below the rate of inflation. Secondly, we make sure that the money is spent where it needs to be spent. Our priorities are health, education and the police. I will be very happy to go into the election campaign and defend every budget decision that this Government has made. I now refer to the financial state of Western Australia. It is true that our State is enjoying strong growth; that is reflected in the revenue that is going back to the people of Western Australia. Tax cuts were made in the last budget because we had the capacity to make them. The previous Government had deficit after deficit after deficit; therefore, it had no capacity to make tax cuts. The Labor Government has delivered for the people of Western Australia in its major priorities. When we have had the capacity, we have reduced taxes, particularly stamp duty for first home buyers. We will be very happy to put our financial record alongside the Liberal Party’s financial record at the next state election. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
(2) Will this tax grab, combined with the windfall goods and services tax payment of an extra $231 million from the Commonwealth, mean that the budget surplus for 2003-04 is likely to exceed $600 million? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Firstly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition of the concealment that took place before the last state election when commitments that were made in the processes of government were not revealed to the people of Western Australia. We inherited that budget black hole when we came to government. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the last state budget provided significant tax cuts for the people of Western Australia, particularly in respect of stamp duty for first home buyers. I also remind the Leader of the Opposition of the six state taxes that have been, or will be, abolished under the Labor Administration, which is something that the previous Government could not do. I have established an important principle for whenever the Opposition quotes figures: I do not respond without first checking its figures. I always check the figures because the Opposition cannot add up. That is an important principle. When it comes to the decisions that this Government makes about expenditure and the taxes it collects, we always start with the principle of looking after families. We have met our commitment to keep increases in household charges for major government services below the rate of inflation. Secondly, we make sure that the money is spent where it needs to be spent. Our priorities are health, education and the police. I will be very happy to go into the election campaign and defend every budget decision that this Government has made. I now refer to the financial state of Western Australia. It is true that our State is enjoying strong growth; that is reflected in the revenue that is going back to the people of Western Australia. Tax cuts were made in the last budget because we had the capacity to make them. The previous Government had deficit after deficit after deficit; therefore, it had no capacity to make tax cuts. The Labor Government has delivered for the people of Western Australia in its major priorities. When we have had the capacity, we have reduced taxes, particularly stamp duty for first home buyers. We will be very happy to put our financial record alongside the Liberal Party’s financial record at the next state election. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Firstly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition of the concealment that took place before the last state election when commitments that were made in the processes of government were not revealed to the people of Western Australia. We inherited that budget black hole when we came to government. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the last state budget provided significant tax cuts for the people of Western Australia, particularly in respect of stamp duty for first home buyers. I also remind the Leader of the Opposition of the six state taxes that have been, or will be, abolished under the Labor Administration, which is something that the previous Government could not do. I have established an important principle for whenever the Opposition quotes figures: I do not respond without first checking its figures. I always check the figures because the Opposition cannot add up. That is an important principle. When it comes to the decisions that this Government makes about expenditure and the taxes it collects, we always start with the principle of looking after families. We have met our commitment to keep increases in household charges for major government services below the rate of inflation. Secondly, we make sure that the money is spent where it needs to be spent. Our priorities are health, education and the police. I will be very happy to go into the election campaign and defend every budget decision that this Government has made. I now refer to the financial state of Western Australia. It is true that our State is enjoying strong growth; that is reflected in the revenue that is going back to the people of Western Australia. Tax cuts were made in the last budget because we had the capacity to make them. The previous Government had deficit after deficit after deficit; therefore, it had no capacity to make tax cuts. The Labor Government has delivered for the people of Western Australia in its major priorities. When we have had the capacity, we have reduced taxes, particularly stamp duty for first home buyers. We will be very happy to put our financial record alongside the Liberal Party’s financial record at the next state election. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
(1)-(2) Firstly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition of the concealment that took place before the last state election when commitments that were made in the processes of government were not revealed to the people of Western Australia. We inherited that budget black hole when we came to government. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the last state budget provided significant tax cuts for the people of Western Australia, particularly in respect of stamp duty for first home buyers. I also remind the Leader of the Opposition of the six state taxes that have been, or will be, abolished under the Labor Administration, which is something that the previous Government could not do. I have established an important principle for whenever the Opposition quotes figures: I do not respond without first checking its figures. I always check the figures because the Opposition cannot add up. That is an important principle. When it comes to the decisions that this Government makes about expenditure and the taxes it collects, we always start with the principle of looking after families. We have met our commitment to keep increases in household charges for major government services below the rate of inflation. Secondly, we make sure that the money is spent where it needs to be spent. Our priorities are health, education and the police. I will be very happy to go into the election campaign and defend every budget decision that this Government has made. I now refer to the financial state of Western Australia. It is true that our State is enjoying strong growth; that is reflected in the revenue that is going back to the people of Western Australia. Tax cuts were made in the last budget because we had the capacity to make them. The previous Government had deficit after deficit after deficit; therefore, it had no capacity to make tax cuts. The Labor Government has delivered for the people of Western Australia in its major priorities. When we have had the capacity, we have reduced taxes, particularly stamp duty for first home buyers. We will be very happy to put our financial record alongside the Liberal Party’s financial record at the next state election. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Perth, Greenough and Roe.
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