FED: Oppn accuse govt of gagging debate on GST

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-1998
FED: Oppn accuse govt of gagging debate on GST

CANBERRA, Dec 2 AAP - The federal government was trying to gag debate on the GST ahead of
the introduction of new tax laws in parliament, the opposition said today.

Manager of opposition business in the House of Representatives Bob McMullan said the
government was trying to limit debate to only 20 hours on the 16 bills.

Mr McMullan said the government was treating the lower house with contempt.

"We all ran for election, both sides, so this is the biggest issue and the government said
yesterday, the prime minister, this is the biggest tax reform since federation," he told ABC
Radio.

"And want more than half the parliament not to speak on it.

"As long as the House of Representatives finish dealing with it before the Senates
official deliberation starts the governments timetable is not delayed by one second."

AAP st/bwl

KEYWORD: TAX OPPOSITION

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