CAR PARKING LEVY

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:46): What about if I just ask this question of the Premier: given that cabinet had previously rejected the Sustainable Budget Commission's car park proposal, and you were a member of that cabinet, when did you form the opinion that the car park tax was necessary for South Australia?

The SPEAKER: That question is premised on the assumption that cabinet did reject it—which they may have done—but I don't know. Premier, do you have any reaction to that?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:46): Perhaps, just to help those opposite. There is a range of things that didn't even make, necessarily, the budget or cabinet process so I think we can—

An honourable member: Sometimes they fall away before cabinet.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Exactly. There are processes that may lead to something not even arriving at cabinet, so let's just put that to one side. The point we make is that the circumstances we find ourselves in now drive the need for the introduction of this particular set of arrangements. We have had literally billions of dollars wiped from our revenue from the combined effects of state-owned sources and GST revenue. There is only one response to that if you want to maintain public services and that is to find alternative revenue sources. If you are trying to run a prudent budget you can—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: As, of course, we have. Once you make all the prudent decisions about reducing the level of government expenditure you can (very substantial reductions in government spending in a range of areas that we regard as a lower area of priority); once you have excluded that and once you have come to a point where you are at a prudent level of borrowings and you don't want to breach any particular cap in relation to your borrowings, the only other source of capacity to maintain public services is to raise revenue.

We chose this particular initiative because it had some other secondary benefits. It will assist us in driving other behaviours, such as people choosing public transport. We think it is a sensible measure. We are fortified in that view because the other major cities have also chosen this course. Indeed, just a few days ago, Victoria announced that it was going to increase its levy. So much were they persuaded by its efficacy that they have decided to increase it—so it is a sensible measure. I understand that the Liberal Party has to team up with its mates in big business; it's natural. I don't think anybody should be surprised.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: What about the leader asking a question?