Local Government (Ratepayer Protection and Related Measures) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 28 November 2018.)

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (11:28): I love the opportunity to talk about rate capping because it is a critical policy that the Liberal Party took to the election. The opposition's failure—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —to recognise the overwhelming will—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —of the people of South Australia to support that rate capping policy is a stain on their time in opposition. This bill is a fig leaf—

Dr CLOSE: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Minister, I am not sure what you have done, but there is a point of order. I will hear the point of order.

Dr CLOSE: Relevance: the minister is talking about the wrong bill.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: This was in direct response—

The SPEAKER: Minister, one moment.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —to the overwhelming popularity—

The SPEAKER: Minister, be seated. I will listen carefully. I will allow the minister some preamble, but then I do expect him to come to the substance of the bill. It is a bit early, but I will listen carefully. Thank you.

Mr Duluk: I would say that it is very germane.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Well, the member for Waite argues that it is germane, but I will defer, sir, to your expertise in the matter. The fact is that I am going to the purpose for which this bill was moved: to cover the Labor Party's embarrassment that they are not supporting things that the people of South Australia want and they are instead trying to construct this fig leaf of a bill to cover their embarrassment. I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.