FRINGE BENEFITS TAX

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:07): My question is to the Treasurer. Has any modelling been undertaken on the cost to the state budget of the new FBT arrangements for the state government's 8,363 fleet vehicles and, if so, what is the cost?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:08): I thank the honourable member for that question. Of course, our preliminary investigations and the advice we have from the commonwealth are that it would be revenue-positive for South Australia, because—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I call the deputy leader to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —of the additional GST receipts that would be received through the changes to the FBT arrangements. That is something that we have asked some questions about from the commonwealth, but there is a very substantial additional benefit that is allegedly to come to South Australia as a consequence of these changes.

Of course, it is our position that we want a variation to the FBT arrangements, so if our contentions were to come to bear, we would have a preference that would be given to Australian-made vehicles in respect of FBT treatment. These are the matters that we do wish to advance with the commonwealth, including any potential impact that it has on South Australia. At the moment, the advice is that it would be revenue-positive.