Emergency Services Levy

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (14:25): Supplementary: can the Treasurer then tell the over 60,000 recreational boat owners how much extra ESL they will be paying, if he won't rule out not removing the remission?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:25): If I understood the question correctly, they won't be paying anything extra, they will be paying what they are paying now. Depending on what the budget is next year—

Dr McFetridge: There was a 100 per cent remission though.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: If the opposition have a policy of 100 per cent remission, we will put that into our costings so we can then, of course, make the argument that the opposition have unfunded election commitments. The truth is that the ESL remissions were removed because of the dramatic cuts made by the commonwealth in health and education. If they reverse those cuts, we will reverse the remission increases.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I do note that the Leader of the Opposition just yelled out 'massive deficits'. He did say in his budget reply speech, either this one or the one previously, that a budget surplus this year would not occur; let's wait and see.

The SPEAKER: The member for Adelaide is called to order and the member for Chaffey is warned for the second and final time.