PUBLIC SECTOR LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:38): Does the Treasurer accept or reject the Treasury advice in relation to public servants cashing out their long service leave entitlement, and that it has the potential to increase state debt by at least $130 million? I quote the Treasury minute, dated 13 January 2010:

As at 30 June 2009, the outstanding long-service leave liability for the general government sector was $1.3 billion.

There has already been significant interest from the agency level from the employees looking to access their entitlement under the new provision. Even a 10 per cent take-up has the potential to increase net debt by $130 million.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education) (14:39): When I've seen that minute, I'll be more than happy to come back to the house and provide a comment on whether I agree with it or not, but I'm not in a position to say whether I've agreed with it or not, when I haven't seen it. Let there be no mistake, this government is committed to financial sustainability. This government will ensure that we do not run up a credit card debt—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —of day-to-day expenses that are to be left to our children to pay. Our critics, including those in the opposition—that is what they would have us do.