SMALL BUSINESS

Mr TRELOAR (Flinders) (15:38): I rise today to continue a theme that was begun by the member for Norwood in his grieve. I would like to speak about this government's regulatory framework and the impacts on South Australian businesses, which I am sure members would agree are issues of critical importance to the economic future of this state.

Throughout the life of this Labor government, small to medium businesses have been stifled by red tape and regulatory confusion. Many small to medium business owners tell me that nowhere near enough has been done by this government to cut bureaucratic red tape or to reduce the administrative burden on their businesses. These are businesses that drive the state's economy and employ so many people across the state. Unfortunately for these businesses, Rann Labor government members are more concerned with their own political future than the future of businesses and employees in South Australia.

Unfortunately, the competitiveness of South Australian businesses has suffered as a result of this government's policies. Not only are we the highest taxed state in Australia but the increase in tax revenue over the life of this government is a staggering 75 per cent. This means that businesses have been hit by a huge increase in payroll tax of around 59 per cent since 2002, which really does compound the regulatory and administrative burden they face. The payroll tax regime is holding back business in this state.

This relates to the national tax burden, which was highlighted by The Advertiser on Monday of this week, in an article by Steve Lewis. This article pointed to the fact that 'record levels of tax debt are crippling small businesses'. The Australian Taxation Office estimates that 260,000 small business owners will default on tax repayments, which is indeed a dire situation for South Australian businesses.

Our exports and share of the national economy have declined during the life of this government. A failure to adequately cut red tape has played a part in this decline. Labor also has a problem with unnecessary programs which are hindering small businesses, not helping them. The problem is based on a model of cost recovery for government services that I do not necessarily have a difficulty with; the problem is that often people do not want the services in the first place and often do not require them. It is typical of Labor's approach to economic matters. Waste and mismanagement will be its legacy.

It comes to mind that money does not come from government funding streams: it actually comes from businesses that work hard and do things. It is also typical of the government's city-centric approach to governing, with Shared Services just one example of the centralisation of government services going horribly wrong. The examples of this are many and varied.

The regulatory framework for heavy vehicle transport is another example of processes that urgently need streamlining. This has been a particular problem in various parts of Flinders, with many landholders and heavy vehicle operators reporting to me on the frustration, unnecessary delays and the crippling costs caused by regulations.

There is a widely-held perception that the tentacles of government are spreading further and further into the community at the expense of individual businesses. This must be addressed. Not only is it centralist policy, but the ever-expanding influence of government is impinging negatively on the way people live their lives.

The government tendering process is also related to this area of red tape reduction and a streamlining of processes for South Australian businesses. The feedback from small business is that they are not satisfied with the government tendering process. Is the government listening to these concerns? Of course not. It is a hallmark of this government that it has great difficulty consulting with and listening to the business community. This shows a lack of leadership on the government's part. It all comes back to businesses being worse off under Labor governments. It will once again be left to the Liberal Party to come in and fix the mess of a bad government whose legacy will be one of waste and mismanagement.

I would like to congratulate the Tumby Bay community on winning the right to host triple j's One Night Stand on Saturday 2 April. It is a fantastic concert and event put on by the national youth broadcaster, triple j, in a regional or remote town every year.

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon: It sounds like you've never even heard of it before.

Mr TRELOAR: I am an avid listener, I assure you.

Time expired.

Mr PISONI: I draw your attention to the state of the house, Mr Acting Speaker.

A quorum having been formed: