State Debt

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (14:42): I am happy to rephrase it, sir. Can the government increase debt levels any further than those forecast in the state budget and remain consistent with the state's fiscal targets?

The SPEAKER: I am prepared to allow that question. Would someone like a go? Premier.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:42): I would like to share—

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Mawson is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: If possible, I would like to share with the house comments made by Moody's overnight, and I quote:

While the infrastructure spending program will drive a large increase in the state’s debt burden to $21.3 billion by fiscal 2023—

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Point of order, sir: the Premier is quoting from a press release, which is currently available from the Moody's Investors Service website.

The SPEAKER: I have only heard a few words from that quote but, if that is the case, I will ask to be availed of that press release, but I will listen to it carefully. The Premier has the call.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: In fact, sir, I don't know whether this is permissible, you might like to make a ruling, but I am quoting a press release from the Hon. Rob Lucas who quotes Moody's. But if those opposite—

An honourable member: So he's a plagiarist as well, is he?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: We've got no problems in tabling it.

The SPEAKER: I will listen to the Premier's answer. Let's hear the answer please. Premier.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: It seems extraordinary that they don't want to hear the information.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Let's get on with it.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I will start again:

While the infrastructure spending program will drive a large increase in the state’s debt burden to $21.3 billion by fiscal 2023, it comes from a low base of $13.5 billion to fiscal 2019 and is manageable within the current—

Mr Brown interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Premier, be seated for one moment please. The member for Playford can leave for the remainder of question time under 137A. He can pay for that outburst. Thank you.

The honourable member for Playford having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Education is warned. The Premier has the call.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: As is clear from that commentary, our rating from Moody's is stable. It has been essentially given the tick by the rating agencies. It hasn't been given the tick from those opposite, who would like us to slash our infrastructure investments in South Australia. What the Leader of the Opposition needs to do tomorrow is have the courage to outline the programs that you want to cut.

The SPEAKER: I ask the Premier please to direct his remarks through the Chair.

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I believe the Premier has finished.