Cost Reductions

Dr HARVEY (Newland) (14:07): My question is to the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government. Can the minister update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government is delivering lower costs to South Australians and if the minister is aware of any alternative approaches?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:08): I do note this question from the member for Newland, a champion in his electorate of helping to lower the costs of CWMS for people in the north-east. It is a fantastic project that was championed by him and able to achieve results within a matter of months under this government from the great work of the Minister for Environment and Water as well as the entire cabinet.

We were elected on an agenda to lower costs here in South Australia. As of yesterday, we can show the people of South Australia that we are delivering. We are delivering lower costs for the people in South Australia, whether that be water itself, which is something that has been ventilated in this chamber and outside, or whether it be electricity, where we are starting to see the fruits of our energy plan come to fruition.

But there are so many other areas where we are providing relief to South Australian households, such as the $90 million that we put back into the pockets of hardworking South Australians every single year, saving them an average of $163 for an average value house. There are also CTP insurance reductions of up to $114 per year provided for a private passenger vehicle, saving collectively $80 million per year for the owners of vehicles in South Australia.

We have provided payroll tax relief for small business. We have provided now $70 million worth of land tax relief for South Australians, taking us back to being one of the most competitive in the country. We have also in this house and in this parliament moved to cap NRM levies, a fantastic achievement that again is going to provide support for South Australians right across the state. We are also, from the great work of the Minister for Sport, providing a doubling of sports vouchers here in South Australia from $50 to $100.

All of this adds up to over $600 worth of relief for an average household per annum, a phenomenal step forward for helping to lower costs for people here in South Australia—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Lee and member for Badcoe!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —and one that is going to pay benefits year after year after year, that is going to help grow jobs in our economy as we allow South Australians to spend their own hard-earned money. But I was asked by the member for Newland about whether or not there are any alternative approaches.

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leader!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Well, there is an alternative approach, and that is the high-tax, high-spending former Labor government in South Australia. Whether it be under the last two years of their government with a $477 increase—

The SPEAKER: Minister, there is a point of the order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sir, talking about a previous Labor government is debate, and the last is just silly.

The SPEAKER: I will try to be consistent with my earlier rulings. I can tell whoever is writing those questions looks at the question time in Canberra. Our standing orders are a little bit different. I have allowed some compare and contrast to former governments to a point, and if I feel the need to step in, I will.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Well, we have had the compare and now we are going to see the contrast: a $477 average increase over the past two years of the former government, and over the life of their government a 232 per cent increase in water bills.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: The emergency services levy was jacked up by an average of $168 per annum for the average household. No land tax relief, no permanent payroll tax relief, no relief—

Mr Brown: No land tax relief? Are you joking?

The SPEAKER: The member for Playford is warned.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —on NRM levies. This is a government that was elected on a platform of lowering costs for South Australia, and that is precisely what we are delivering.

Mr Pederick interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Hammond!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Especially at this time during a coronavirus pandemic when we need to help stimulate our economy, there can be nothing better than putting money back into the pockets of hardworking South Australians so that they can spend money in the way that best suits them. Especially at this time when we all know that there are people out there who are doing it tough, this kind of relief helps to ease the burden, and it is the best thing that this government can do to help stimulate the economy here in South Australia.

The SPEAKER: I do remind members that, per standing order 96, at the time for giving notices of motion, questions relating to public affairs may be put to ministers. I am just going to ask them to reflect on that.