The prospect of millionaires receiving ACT government concessions is driving the current review for budget savings, Andrew Barr conceded on Monday.
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A week after announcing a crackdown on the $46.7 million given in concessions and discounts annually in the ACT, Mr Barr said the government was focused on ensuring the discounts supported vulnerable Canberrans and not well-off retirees.
Seniors and pensioners, those on low incomes, veterans, people with disabilities and students currently receive discounts on car registration, bus travel, rates bills, power and water charges, taxis, funerals and eye glasses.
Mr Barr used an answer in Question Time to say concessions should support "those who need them most" and that the government didn't want to provide support to millionaires.
"Good government is about ensuring those who need assistance receive it, and that is what we are seeking to do with this concessions review."
Last week the government said concessions had increased 9 per cent a year over five years, amounting to $46.7 million in 2013-14 and increasing even more in 2014-15.
The review, open for community submissions until April 10, will consider which concessions are most important, who should benefit and how savings can be found in the lead-up to the 2015-16 budget.
Mr Barr is facing a $770 million deficit this year, and a $250 million deficit in 2015-16. An extra $6.6 million was allocated in this year's budget to pay for concessions.
"The government is looking to have a very public process in relation to this," Mr Barr said. "This issue has been debated on more than one occasion in this place in this parliamentary term in relation to increases in funding for the concession program".
"This is not an exercise in funnelling money to people who don't need it."
He accused the Liberal opposition of being in public life to "shovel money to rich people" and give support only to Canberrans with high incomes.
The Abbott government withdrew $2.2 million in funding for concessions for out-of-state seniors and pensioners while the ACT government discussion paper said budget constraint meant continuing large increases in the cost of concessions might not be sustainable.
Reduced funding for "lower priority concessions" was flagged, while the concessions providing the largest impact on people most in need will be maintained.