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Canberra Today 19°/21° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Libs plan ‘no-confidence’ move on Barr

TREASURER  Andrew Barr has been accused of being “deceptive and secretive” over what the Opposition claims is a reluctance to be transparent, participative or collaborative about the state of the ACT Budget. 

Brendan Smyth... wants Budget details.
Brendan Smyth… wants Budget details.
“The Government has failed to release documents on how their tax reforms will impact residential and commercial rates and the effect of the ICRC determination on the ACTEW water dividend, which could leave a potential $100 million hole in the Budget,” says Liberal treasury spokesman Brendan Smyth.

The Liberals will in the Assembly today move a no-confidence motion in Barr if he fails to release accurate Budget documents.

Smyth said this comes after repeated failures from the Government to provide accurate Budget papers, even after the Chief Minister’s pledge for “openness in the way we govern, encompassing transparency, participation, and collaboration”.

“It is unreasonable for Andrew Barr to expect to have a robust and informed debate on a Budget, which we now know isn’t accurate.

“In the Estimates report tabled last week it was recommended that ‘the Appropriation Bill debate not be brought on until such time as the Treasurer has presented an amended Bill and relevant budget documents detailing the effect of the ICRC determination on the ACTEW Water dividend and balance sheet.’

“It is negligent to vote on the 2013-14 Budget without knowing the true impact of the Government’s reforms and initiatives on the Budget.

“Canberra taxpayers deserve to know the whole truth about the Budget and whether the Territory’s funds are being efficiently managed.”

 

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