Car Parking Levy

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:22): Supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: Supplementary question, member for Davenport.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Further to the Treasurer's comment about the opposition not making a submission in the consultation, given that the opposition put out a number of press releases opposing the tax, given that we made speeches in the parliament opposing the tax and given that we put out a state election policy opposing the tax, what further consultation did you want from the opposition regarding the matter?

The SPEAKER: That question is probably out of order and the answer is probably going to be out order but let the cards fall where they may.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:23): I think it is interesting that the opposition says that they have had a consistent view on the transport development levy, and I think, by and large, that is accurate, and they have had a consistent point of view other than the remarks of the Leader of the Opposition. Before the election and immediately after the election, the opposition was very clear that if the TDL was part of the budget process, they wouldn't stand in the way.

But they did say if a Liberal government were elected there would be no transport development levy imposed on the CBD. That was their policy and they were clear about it, as were we about our policy, and if we formed government we would impose a TDL. As recently as 5 May, the opposition leader went on radio and said that, of course, they don't want the TDL, they went to the election opposing the transport development levy, but if it was part of the budget, well, that's the government's right and they won't get in the way. Indeed, as recently as 5 May, the Leader of the Opposition also said:

We will not be obstructive. We want this parliament to work, we need it to work.

Well, how things have changed. And what's changed? Well, his former leader is out of control, his party is falling to pieces and they're blaming everyone else for their loss other than the person responsible for their loss. The one person who told everyone at the last election from that side of the house to go out and vote Labor wasn't the member for Waite: it was the Leader of the Opposition.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Show your anger at him, not us!

Mr MARSHALL: A supplementary sir.

The SPEAKER: Before the supplementary, the member for Chaffey is warned. Leader.