David Leyonhjelm (NSW, Liberal Democratic Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill.

Leave granted.

I table the explanatory memorandum and seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The speech read as follows—

I introduce the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Amendment (Make Electricity GST Free) Bill 2017.

The Bill makes the supply of electricity GST-free. This will occur from the start of the quarter following Royal Assent. It will occur irrespective of the views of the States, which will continue to be granted GST revenues.

Electricity should be made GST-free because electricity is an essential service, just like water, which is already GST-free.

Making electricity GST-free would immediately ease some of the pain from rapidly rising electricity prices.

I commend the Bill to the Senate.

I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.