Parking Space Levy

The Hon. MATTHEW MASON-COX: My question without notice is directed to the Treasurer. Is the Treasurer aware that freedom of information documents obtained by the Opposition reveal that little, if any, research was done into the effectiveness of the parking space levy prior to his Government's decision to almost double the levy in his mini-budget last year? Can he explain to the House why the levy was increased in the absence of any research on the likely impact of this measure? Will he now commission research into the impact of the increased levy on affected businesses and traffic congestion in the CBD?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I do enjoy question time.

The Hon. Melinda Pavey: We don't enjoy listening to you.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I know Opposition members do not enjoy it because every time I answer their questions and talk about the recovery and the stimulus package, and the Leader of the Opposition Barry O'Farrell hooking up with Malcolm Turnbull to oppose the stimulus package they are embarrassed. I understand their position. I love the way they pick through a $56 billion budget and a $62.9 billion infrastructure spend over four years, $18 billion this year alone, underpinning 160,000 jobs every year. Every week we come into the House the Government has a new investment announcement for New South Wales, such as Mad Max 4, COSCO, Bunnings, JB Hi Fi and Bupa Care Services. We are part of the solution in overcoming the global financial crisis. We want to jump on the economic recovery bandwagon and move this country forward. But what do we hear from these fools over there?

The Hon. Matthew Mason-Cox: Point of order: I ask that the Treasurer stop the mock outrage and answer the question.

The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no point of order.

The Hon. Duncan Gay: Point of order: My point of order relates to parliamentary language. The Treasurer referred to "these fools over there". I ask that he withdraw the remark. It is not acceptable parliamentary language.

The Hon. Amanda Fazio: To the point of order: The Treasurer was referring to the people opposite as fools and, as I have stated previously in the House, collective insults are allowable under the standing orders. Members opposite should just accept it.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I remind members that no-one took objection. Accordingly, there was no point of order. The Treasurer may continue.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: If members opposite feel offended by that description, I am happy to withdraw it and replace it with "uninformed", "ignorant", whatever they like, because the message sticks regardless. They have consistently opposed every stimulus measure taken by both the State and Federal governments in relation to the worst global financial crisis since the Depression. Members on the opposite side of the House are the same group who opposed the first home buyer's boost. The Coalition has consistently opposed every step that takes us back to economic recovery. We have made a record investment in health, a record investment in the Department of Community Services, a record investment in roads—

The Hon. Matthew Mason-Cox: Point of order: My point of order is relevance. The Treasurer has not come within a bull's roar of the parking space levy—a specific measure that was not a stimulus measure; it was an impost on business. What is the Treasurer going to do about research?

The PRESIDENT: Order! I ask the Treasurer to continue to be generally relevant.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: As the honourable member well knows, the parking space levy goes back into funding public transport infrastructure, which is very important for the people of Sydney.