BUDGET SAVINGS INITIATIVES

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:42): My question is again to the Treasurer. Was the Treasurer advised in any way shape or form before the election that the budget savings measures already announced—that is $375 million in 2008-09 and, in addition, $750 million in 2009-10—were not going to be sufficient to meet the government's net operating balance target?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Federal/State Relations, Minister for Defence Industries) (14:42): I am not going to discuss issues relating to the budget in the lead-up to the budget. There are a number of variables that occur leading into a budget. I know the leader has not been involved in a budget process, but it is this: if you have revenue—

Mrs Redmond: You have a July to June year and you bring down the budget regularly.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Do you really? And what did we do four years ago?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Members opposite seem to be getting excited about the budget date. It was announced prior to Christmas. We actually asked Geoff Carmody and the commission to advise the government on how long they needed post election to undertake their work and to recommend to me as Treasurer a time frame for the budget that would suit the work they are doing.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Why would I bring down a budget in June or May—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: —when the budget commission is not concluding its work until July?

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for Norwood for the second time. One more warning and you will be out.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Some companies have financial years from different months—from August.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I can assure members opposite, if they are concerned that they are not going to get paid, they will be getting paid. We actually ensure supply continues and the existing budget settings remain in play. Nothing gets affected in terms of government service delivery. Nothing gets affected in the way government operates. It is a date. Whilst I am a very humble man, this is budget No. 9, and I think we have demonstrated that we are able to deliver good budget outcomes. I would say to members opposite that our government was prepared to put our finances under independent scrutiny by the Carmody review, and that takes time.

Mrs Redmond: How much over budget is a sustainable budget review?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: That's a different question.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: It is! John Howard did this—used Mr Carmody—so I am happy to do that as well. This is a good exercise, a worthwhile exercise. As much as members may want to criticise me for many things, one thing they cannot critique me on is the fact that we have delivered the best budget outcomes this state has seen for decades.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Croydon.