Media Release – Land Tax Debate Raises Conflict of Interest Concerns

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today warned the Tasmanian Government’s latest Land Tax Rating bill creates a very real risk of perceived potential conflict of interest.

“Real-time Parliamentary Pecuniary Interest declarations are needed and a proactive, routine culture of MPs declaring perceived potential conflicts of interest on bills before Parliament,” Ms Webb said.

“The Land Tax Rating Bill will provide approximately 70,000 landowners with an average saving of $600 on their land tax bill.

“But some will save considerably more – including potentially some of the same MPs who are voting on this measure.

“It is troubling to realise there exists a very real risk of perceived potential conflict of interest for some of those voting on this bill, without any formal mechanism requiring this to be disclosed to the public before or during debate.”

Ms Webb said the Pecuniary Interest Register reveals half the members of Parliament – 12 House of Assembly MPs and 8 Members of the Legislative Council LCs – have detailed interests in more than one Tasmanian property during the 2020-21 financial year.

“However, as far as I’m aware, no voluntary declarations addressing a possible perception of conflict of interest were recorded during lower house debate on the land tax bill.

“Additionally, the time lag in MPs’ Disclosure requirements means the Interests Register alone cannot be relied on to deliver full transparency of perceived potential conflict of interests in relation to bills before Parliament.”

Ms Webb said she was a prime example of this situation.

“In the interests of proactive, routine disclosure, my contribution on the Bill will include a statement that subsequent to my declaration of interests for 2020-21, I now own a rental property and may be a perceived or actual beneficiary of this Bill.

“My constituents deserve clarity in the context of my vote on the Bill.

“I believe as MPs, we need to be aware of something as significant as potential conflicts of interest – perceived or not – and to demonstrate leadership with upfront declarations.”

Ms Webb stressed there are no accusations of deliberate wrongdoing by any MPs.

“However, this situation exposes seriously inadequate transparency mechanisms which can foster a complacent internal culture and a loss of public confidence.

“We need a proactive, routine culture of MPs making declarations on perceived potential conflict of interest as bills are debated, and real-time time Parliamentary Pecuniary Interest declarations.

“Debate on this second land tax relief measure raises two serious concerns:

• One, it’s ideologically driven with no evidence the Bill will benefit those desperate for housing as much as it may benefit some of those voting
• Two, when and how will the public know of any potential conflicts of interest?”

Background Information:

• The Land Tax Rating Amendment Bill 2022 was passed by the House of Assembly on 24 March 2022.
• The Land Tax Rating Amendment Bill is the second amendment to the state’s land tax rate following last year’s Treasury Miscellaneous (Cost of Living and Affordable Housing Support) Bill 2021.
• Hansard does not record any voluntary declarations of potential perceived or actual conflicts of interest during either debate.
• Tasmanian Members of Parliament annual Pecuniary Interest Declarations are required to be submitted by 1 October for the previous financial year. By October this year MPs must submit a declaration for June 2021- June 2022, making information potentially relevant to this week’s debate unavailable until five months after the fact.
• House of Assembly Register of Members’ Interests: https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/HA/pdi/HAMembersInterests.html
• Legislative Council Register of Members’ Interests: https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/LC/pdi/LCMembersInterests.html

Media Contact: A.Mark Thomas, M&M Communications, 0422 006 732