TAXATION

The Hon. L. STEVENS (Little Para) (14:46): Will the Treasurer advise the house whether he has received any recent correspondence from the Leader of the Opposition regarding taxation?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations) (14:46): Indeed, surprise, surprise, I have. I received a letter from Martin Hamilton-Smith MP, Leader of the Opposition, shadow treasurer, shadow minister for—

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: Alternative premier!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Yes, alternative premier, shadow treasurer, shadow minister for economic development, shadow minister for social inclusion, shadow minister for infrastructure, shadow minister for multicultural affairs and shadow minister for sustainability and climate change. Do you blokes have anything to do over there? What are you guys doing? He is not the alternative premier; he is the alternative government. I now realise how they will make government efficient: they will not have 13 ministers, they will have Martin, and that will save a lot of money. Clearly—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Who dares wins! Who said that? Ivan said that. Who dares wins—well, with loyal backbenchers like that! Just ask Ivan.

Ms CHAPMAN: I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. The question was whether a piece of correspondence had been received from the Leader of the Opposition. How that could possibly reflect on the honourable member and his capacity as a member of the house is a breach of the standing orders.

The Hon. K.O. Foley interjecting:

Ms CHAPMAN: Just sit down and wait for a decision.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I direct the Deputy Premier to turn to the substance of the question.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I apologise, sir. When the Opposition Whip said, 'Who dares wins,' I just thought it was a funny way to reflect on his own leader. I did receive a letter from the shadow treasurer, the shadow minister for economics development, the shadow minister for social inclusion—the shadow minister for everything! He considers that the Liberal opposition—which I take is him—considers that our tax system needs a major overhaul. The letter states:

We understand how difficult the tax burden has become for business. It is not only about the quantum of tax but about structural reform. It is about eliminating inconsistencies between South Australia and other states and about our tax competitiveness. The Liberal opposition [me] has instigated an inquiry into South Australia's tax system. As part of the first stage of the inquiry we are seeking submissions from stakeholders. I feel certain the government would have a point of view on tax reform. A contribution to this review would be therefore most welcome.

He wants me to tell him how he should reform the state's tax system. Mr Speaker, can this opposition not do anything themselves? They get their questions out of The Advertiser and now they want me to write to them telling them how they should restructure tax in this state.

I find that quite extraordinary. But, then again, if members remember that, in the lead-up to the last state election, during the campaign, after years of telling us 'Cut this tax, cut that tax; we tax too much here; we tax too much there', from memory, the only tax policy which they came up with was a land tax cut. They said, 'We will cut $70 million. We do not know who will benefit and we do not know which tax is going to be cut. We will work that detail out after the election.' That is their tax policy. I mean, fair dinkum, what an ordinary outfit this opposition is when it comes to tax policy. I tell members who is on top of cutting taxes: it is this Labor government.

I have plenty of advice for the Leader of the Opposition. This government, going through from 2004-05 to 2010-11, will have cut taxes totalling $2 billion. Payroll tax cuts and interstate harmonisation of payroll tax measures totalling some $533 million. Our latest payroll tax cuts announced in our last budget mean that by 1 July 2008 payroll tax in this state will be 5 per cent, equivalent to that of Victoria and the second lowest in the nation; land tax reform, $420 million; abolition of mortgage duty, $415 million; abolition of debits tax, $367 million; abolition of other duties such as cheque duty, lease duty, rental duty, non-realty conveyances, shared duty, collectively totalling some $182 million; and first home owner stamp duty concessions totalling $55 million. That is the record of a government that is about tax reform. That is the record of a government that is about cutting taxes and, as well as doing that, we have balanced the budget.

We have restored the AAA credit rating. We have increased spending in health, education, transport, law and order. More police than ever on the beat in South Australia. Balancing the books and, with a strong balance sheet, being able to borrow money to reinvest in critical infrastructure for this state. This is a state government that knows how to balance the books. This is a government that knows how to increase spending where it is needed but, most importantly, this is a government that has been about structural tax reform from day one. I simply say to the Leader of the Opposition: tax reform is hard work. You will have to work this one out yourself, but remember this, if you cut a tax, how are you going to pay for it?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!