Legislative Council Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2) 52 2 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Bills Police (GST Exemption) Amendment Bill POLICE (GST EXEMPTION) AMENDMENT BILL Second Reading Second Reading Adjourned debate on second reading. (Continued from 6 June 2013.) The Hon. R.I. LUCAS Legislative Council The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:22): I rise on behalf of Liberal members to speak to the Police (GST Exemption) Amendment Bill. The commonwealth government recently made amendments to the Goods and Services Tax Act 1999, which stated in part that a fee charged by government agencies to supply information that does not require to be filed under Australian law will be subject to GST. SAPOL currently provides a number of services to the public for a fee, and while some charges are imposed in accordance with legislation or individual contracts, there are many that do not. The state government's view, which is reflected in this legislation, is that it does not want the public to have to pay GST on these fees that are not under legislative authority or specific contracts and this bill seeks to highlight the issue. The amendments to the Police Act 1988 will provide authority for regulations to be made as soon as practicable and will specify that particular services and respective fees may be charged by SAPOL GST-free. As just outlined, it is a largely technical bill, but it is quite specific in its operation. The member for Davenport had carriage of the bill in the other place and indicated the Liberal Party's support, and I am pleased to indicate the party's support in the Legislative Council. The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for Agriculture Minister for Forests Minister for Regional Development Minister for the Status of Women Minister for State/Local Government Relations The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:23): I thank the opposition for its support for this fairly straightforward administrative bill and I thank the others who have indicated their support—albeit not through a second reading speech, but they have indicated support—and I look forward to dealing with this expeditiously through the committee stage. Bill read a second time. Committee Stage Committee Stage Bill taken through committee without amendment. Third Reading Third Reading The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for Agriculture Minister for Forests Minister for Regional Development Minister for the Status of Women Minister for State/Local Government Relations The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:25): I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Bill read a third time and passed.