XN000022-1982-05-05 — Page 12

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 1982

MOTOR VEHICLE RESTRAINT PROPOSALS

NOT AIMED AT RAISING REVENUE, SAYS FS

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THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID TODAY GOVERNMENT ACTION TO THE OBVIOUS PROBLEM OF GROWING ROAD CONGESTION REQUIRED EXCEPTIONAL USE OF ALL PRACTICABLE MEANS AS A MATTER OF COMMONSENSE.

+THE MEANS INVOLVE FISCAL MEASURES DESIGNED NOT TO RAISE REVENUE BUT RATHER TO ACT AS RESTRAINTS DIRECTED AT VEHICLE USAGE, HE SAID.

MR BREMRIDGE WAS ADDRESSING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTER THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, HAD EXPLAINED THE REASONS THE GOVERNMENT MUST NOW TAKE STEPS TO STEM THE GROWTH OF CONGESTION IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT FOR MANY YEARS IT HAD BEEN GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT TAXES SHOULD IN THE MAIN BE RAISED FOR FISCAL PURPOSES.

THIS POLICY, HE SAID, MUST NATURALLY HAVE REGARD NOT ONLY TO THE CONCEPT OF ANNUALITY IN BUDGETS BUT ALSO TO THE NEED TO MAKE SAVINGS IN GOOD TIMES SO AS TO BE PROTECTED WHEN BAD TIMES ARISE. THIS IS WELL UNDERSTOOD BY EVERY PRUDENT BUS INESSMAN AND HEAD OF FAMILY.

+THERE ARE, OF COURSE, MACRO-ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS AS WELL WHICH PARTICULARLY REFLECT THE IMPERATIVES OF SENSIBLE ANTI-INFLATIONARY MEASURES AND POLICIES, HE SAID.

REFERRING TO THE PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS WITH REGARD TO FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, ANNUAL LICENCE FEES, AND THE DUTY ON LIGHT OILS WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT ON TUESDAY (MAY 4), MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE ADDITIONAL RECURRENT REVENUE IN 1982/83 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT $1 BILLION. HOWEVER, IT COULD BE LESS DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH THESE MEASURES WERE EFFECTIVE. THE CALCULATION WAS QUITE EMPIRICAL, HE SAID.

THIS UNEXPECTED WINDFALL, MR BREMRIDGE SAID, WOULD BE TREATED WITH PRUDENCE.

+WHILE HYPOTHECATION OF REVENUE IS OUT OF THE QUESTION, IT WILL OBVIOUSLY NOT WEAKEN THE GOVERNMENT'S DETERMINATION TO PRESS ON WITH ITS VERY SUBSTANTIAL TRANSPORT PROGRAMMES

INVOLVING MAJOR EXPENDITURE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, HE ADDED.

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