Jill Hall (Shortland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on exactly the same issue as the member for Gilmore. I stand in this place on behalf of in excess of 5,000 residents in Shortland who are set to be hit by this GST on the rental if it is introduced. I urge all members on the other side of this House to take a lead from the member for Gilmore and stand up for the residents whom they represent who live in residential parks. In 2000 when the GST was introduced, quite a battle took place here in relation to imposing a GST on the rental people pay who live in residential parks. At that time, those advising the government did not understand that these were quality homes that people lived in and that the only rental they paid was on the sites where their homes were located. It seems to me that those same bureaucrats are once again showing that they do not understand the issue for people who live in residential parks. They do not understand what an impost this will be on those residents.

In the remaining time I have in this debate, I want to share with the House some of the comments I have received from residents whom I represent who live in relocatable homes. Firstly, Mrs Elizabeth Wenham is most upset by the draft ruling and sees that this will be a major change for her if this introduced. She is very upset that what was decided in 2000 is in danger of being changed. This is a form of affordable housing, and a GST is going to make it much less affordable, and it is treating people who live in residential parks differently to others.

These letters I am referring to are all from residents of Bevington Shores at Halekulani. Edward Quinton says that he is an age pensioner and pays rent on his site, that he will not find the GST on top of his medical bills, and that he will find 'extreme hardship to live and maybe that is what they want'. Len Shaw says: 'I am on a pension and cannot afford a 10 per cent GST on my site. Please, I would be grateful if the office does not go ahead with this. As an age pensioner, no to this 10 per cent GST.' Another resident of the park, S Sharp, says: 'I also want the classification of GST changed so pensioners will not miss out on vital rental assistance. As an age pensioner I find this 10 per cent increase on rental costs totally unjustified. As a returned serviceman and TPI pensioner, I find the increase of 10 per cent unacceptable.' Gail Green says: 'As a pensioner, I already find it difficult to pay my rent. A 10 per cent increase on top will make it almost impossible.' Maree Crockett says she pays enough out of her pension without having to pay an extra 10 per cent. Another resident says a GST will impact on the standard of living. Ann Daley says the proposed 10 per cent increase in the cost of living will be 'an unfair burden on pensioners'.

I have here about 500 letters that I will forward to the ATO. In addition, I have a number of other letters written to me. The core of this issue is that these are pensioners, older people and people on fixed incomes who cannot afford the GST. I call on the government to talk to the ATO and ensure that this cruel 10 per cent GST increase on their rents is not implemented.

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