The 1998 Nile Inquiry

In 1998 the NSW Legislative Council established a committee of inquiry headed by the Hon. Rev. Fred Nile MLC into public concerns at the large increases in land values throughout NSW determined by the Valuer-General (VG) as at 1 July 1997.

This was the first review of the anomalies in the valuations for that base date.

The inquiry did pressure the government to index the thresholds for both premium properties and other taxable properties. Recommendations to limit the number of premium properties that could be subjected to premium property tax were also adopted by the NSW Government.

However, the inquiry did not address the fundamental problems arising from the manipulation of land values to achieve land tax outcomes that were impacting on the financial resources of those liable for land tax. In fact it could not address those concerns, because the committee had not been provided with critical evidence relating to the manner in which the land values had been determined.

That critical information only came to light some 2 years after the inquiry was held. The VG had steadfastly refused to release them to this office following a Freedom of Information application. It was only after a struggle lasting over 18 months that the NSW Ombudsman finally intervened and ordered the documents be released to this office in June 2001.

Importantly, the VG gave a sworn undertaking to the Nile Inquiry to correct the NSW land valuation roll in relation to persons who did not object if others who had objected were successful. Despite a record number of valuations being amended (either by the VG or on appeal to the NSW Land and Environment Court) no steps have been taken to date to amend the rolls accordingly.

Further Information

For further information contact:

• Simon Singer
• David Singer