And while debate over the BTL matter will dominate tomorrow's House sitting, there'll be lots of other news as well. As we reported earlier in the week, government is expected to announce new tax measures, specifically for excise tax, and closing up loopholes in the administration of stamp duty. The Prime Minister met with business leaders this afternoon at the Central Bank to inform them that the excise, which is basically tax on locally produced beer, will be increased by 50% which will being it to $6 per gallon. That should realize a revenue increase of $4 to $5 million in revenue. But past trends indicate that revenue won't come from Bowen and Bowen; it will likely be passed on in the retail price of beer.
The Prime Minister also told business leaders that government hopes to cut expenditure sharply and that plus the excise increase should realize a budgetary improvement of $11 million. The government side will also table a pair of constitutional amendments, the Supreme Court Civil Procedure Rules and the Ombudsman's report.
