STATE BUDGET

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:37): My question is to the Treasurer. Will he rule out new taxes, fees and charges and increases in real terms in existing taxes, fees and charges in the upcoming budget?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations) (14:37): I have made it a practice now in the seven budgets I have delivered, and the eighth budget which will be delivered in June, of not foreshadowing what will or will not be in the budget. I also add for those members opposite who might be ambitious—and I think of the shadow finance minister, the member for Goyder—that the Leader of the Opposition on radio today, after I suggested he should ease his workload and give the shadow treasury to someone, first, who can read a balance sheet; secondly, who understands public finances; and, thirdly, who can undertake the workload, and he ruled it out. He said, 'I will not be shedding or giving the shadow treasury portfolio to any other member.'

Before you have your reshuffle—and I know the shadow minister for transport is under some pressure from what we are hearing—I would have thought the member for Goyder has served a good and fine apprenticeship as the shadow finance minister, but the leader who has to do everything himself has ruled out giving the shadow treasury to anyone else. I think that just goes to show that it will be a very interesting cabinet reshuffle next week.