Emergency Services Levy

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (14:22): Supplementary, Mr Speaker.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Stuart is called to order.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Is the minister aware of any investigations or discussions about the removal of the ESL remission from recreational boating?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:22): There are a number of people who are agitated about the emergency services levy. I am not aware of any organisation that the member is talking about, but I will do a quick ask of Treasury. The truth is, though, that the money is hypothecated and goes directly to the people on the front lines. This money goes directly to the people who are out there, our first responders.

So, any money that is taken out of the system means that we will have to find resources from elsewhere to fill the gap; and, given the cuts made by the commonwealth to health and education, that means more than likely that money will have to come from somewhere else, like health and education. We have said that we did not want to increase the emergency services levy. There are still rebates in place for people in country areas and people who live further and further away from the metropolitan areas. But the truth is that all of this money goes to the people who use it, our first responders.

The SPEAKER: Before the member for Morphett asks another question, I call to order the member for Mitchell. I warn the members for Stuart and Mitchell for the first time, and I warn for the second and final time the leader, the member for Stuart and the member for Schubert. The member for Morphett.