Land Tax

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (14:20): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier believe it is courageous to promise lower taxes at an election and then deliver higher land tax bills to thousands of South Australians?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: The point of order is for argument?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Absolutely, sir. The member continues to ask questions framed in a way you have counselled him not to.

The SPEAKER: In the spirit of a flowing question time, I am going to allow this answer. I have given some latitude in the question. I am going to allow some latitude in the answer. Premier.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:20): Well, it's a worry to me, a great worry to me, that the shadow treasurer in South Australia—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —is innumerate, because he is now trying to reframe a $70 million land tax reduction as a tax increase.

The SPEAKER: There is a point of order, Premier.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: This is shameful.

The SPEAKER: Premier, there is a point of order.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: My point of order is about debate. It was a very simple question—

The SPEAKER: Yes.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —which could be answered with a yes or no answer.

The SPEAKER: I have the point of order. I have allowed some latitude in the question. I am going to allow some latitude in the answer, but if it goes too far, if it does deviate, I will bring back the Premier. The Premier has the call.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Thank you, sir. What we have out for consultation at the moment is the single largest land tax reform in the history of South Australia. It takes South Australia from having the highest—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Elizabeth is warned.

Mr Malinauskas: Why didn't you announce this reform last year?

The SPEAKER: Leader! I will not allow the leader to shout during every single answer. He will be leaving. I know he doesn't like it when he leaves the chamber.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: It takes South Australia from having the highest and least competitive land tax rate in the country to a system or a situation where we are on average with the mainland states of Australia. This is something that we are proud of. We are addressing the issue that had been left to fester for a long period of time, driving investment dollars out of South Australia, repelling investment dollars—

Dr Close interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —into South Australia. This is designed to grow the size of the South Australian economy. It is a $70 million land tax reduction in the first three years: $20 million in the first year and $24 million in the second year, $70 million over the first three years—

Ms Stinson: Are you sure of those figures this time?

The SPEAKER: The member for Badcoe is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Ninety-two per cent of individual investors will end up better off, and we know exactly who we stand for. Now the opposition haven't formed an opinion. They are going to have a forum in a couple of weeks' time—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —to work out what they are going to do with this single most important reform in the history of our state.

The SPEAKER: Premier, there is a point of order. Is the Premier finished?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Yes.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has finished. The member for Lee then the member for Narungga.