Emergency Services Levy

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:50): My question is to the minister for—oh, she has gone! Where is the Minister for Volunteers? I will ask this question to the Premier then: does the Premier agree with the Treasurer's statement on Channel 7 News last Thursday—and I quote—'there are thousands of other volunteers who will take their place' in response to the CFS volunteers saying the increases in the ESL would reduce their capacity to respond to fires?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:51): I was very clear in what I was saying, but I can't be responsible for the editing done.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: No, I don't walk away from the comments. What I said was: 'I doubt very much South Australians would leave their neighbours in the lurch.' This state has a fine tradition of standing up for each other, standing up for their neighbours. Let's talk about real cuts: why is it that the Leader of the Opposition is happy to see—

Mr Marshall: Why don't you answer a question?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I am trying to answer but you keep on talking over me. I show you the courtesy that you deserve; you should show me the courtesy—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I beg to differ.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sir, I am an example to all members of the house of how to carry themselves in question time. My comments about volunteers were in no way trying to attack or criticise volunteers who do not want to volunteer. What I was saying is this: I do not believe that our CFS volunteers, who are the best in the world, would ever see a neighbour or ever see a friend or another region of South Australia not responded to because of the way we raise the emergency services levy. If that offended anyone, I apologise. I did not mean to offend anyone when I said that; I just did not believe the assertions to be accurate.