House of Assembly Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1) 53 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Emergency Services Levy Emergency Services Levy Mr GRIFFITHS House of Assembly Goyder Emergency Services Levy Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (15:06): My question is to the Minister for Local Government. Can the minister confirm his response to local government on emergency services levy increases of up to 237 per cent, as in the case of the City of Salisbury, and another example with the City of Charles Sturt where the bill has increased from $43,913.20 to $130,978.35, or an increase of 198 per cent? The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly West Torrens Minister for Finance Minister for State Development Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Minister for Small Business Emergency Services Levy The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (15:07): I find it stunning that the Liberal Party say to us, why can't we absorb the cuts that the Abbott government has made within our budgets, yet stand up here today and say, 'They can't afford to absorb the increases once the remissions are removed to the emergency services levy.' I find it absolutely hypocritical. I have to say, yesterday's little display by the Mayor of Onkaparinga reminded me of another display that the Mayor of Onkaparinga put on during the election campaign. She said this: The changes proposed by the Liberals will put community services at risk. Ill considered & populist policy. Rates are a tax, not a fee/charge. That was Lorraine Rosenberg. That is her view about Liberal Party policy on capping rates, yet the Liberal Party is actually standing up today saying, 'They can't absorb these cuts. They have to pass them on in rates.' Which one is it? Should they cap their rates or should they pass it on? The hypocrisy of the argument by members opposite is stunning. Mr GARDNER House of Assembly Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Debate? Mr GARDNER House of Assembly Mr GARDNER: Yes, and I remind you, sir, that the minister has had two warnings not to defy you. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. Mr Marshall House of Assembly Mr Marshall: Chuck him out! The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I am sure the Liberal Party would like me to leave, but they have got me for 3½ years courtesy of the Leader of the Opposition, and I would like to thank him for his efforts. I have to say that councils that have budgets of $100 million plus saying they have to pass on the costs of ESL increases I think is more politics than truth.