Land Tax

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:30): My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer advise why he is willing to offer concessions regarding the Liberal government's land tax policy to crossbenchers—

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: Why he is what? I didn't hear you.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: Well, you should have been listening.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: You should speak louder and sort of articulate.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: Oh, good advice. I will start again for your benefit, Treasurer. Will the Treasurer advise why he is willing to offer concessions regarding the Liberal government's land tax policy to the crossbench that he was not willing to offer his Liberal backbencher colleagues?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:31): There's no basis in terms of the member's assertion. The government very significantly amended its original land tax package announced in June of this year—it seems like such a long time ago, Mr President. A significant number of those significant amendments were made as a result of representations from my very hardworking, consultative colleagues within the Liberal parliamentary party room, in addition to the government listening to the concerns being expressed by stakeholders both within the party room and without. We are an open, consultative, transparent, inclusive government, and the government has demonstrated its willingness to listen to those concerns and to amend significantly the government's package.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bourke, a supplementary.