State Budget Advertising Campaign

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (14:08): My question is to the Premier. Will the new advertising campaign for the budget explain why South Australian households are being slugged more than $353 million in higher fees and charges?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:08): As I said, I don't have the details of the advertising campaign with me here in the parliament, but we are proud of the budget. It's a responsible budget. Most importantly, it is a budget focused on building our state. There is a massive $11.9 billion investment in infrastructure and key projects right across the state that all South Australians will benefit from.

We think that this is an important time to be investing, while interest rates in South Australia are so low. I again acknowledge the comments that were made in this parliament earlier today, when the Leader of the Opposition made it very clear that he does not believe that we should be going into further debt in South Australia.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Point of order, sir: debate. The Premier was debating in his answer.

The SPEAKER: I have the point of order. It was about $353 million in fees and charges. I think the Premier is speaking about the budget, but he could come back to be a bit more specific; I will listen carefully. Premier.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: As I was saying, our education campaign for the people of South Australia is really focused on the elements which are going to benefit the people of this state: further investment in productive infrastructure that we have spoken about for a long period of time and investments that we are making in the environment. I note that those opposite are against these programs. In fact, they have been against all of the—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order: that is clearly debate, sir.

The SPEAKER: Yes. The Premier has finished his answer.