Local Government (Public Health Emergency) (Rate Relief) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 13 May 2020.)

Mr KNOLL (Schubert) (11:27): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me the call to speak on local government, which is a very important topic, one that, during the COVID-19 crisis, has been key to helping to make sure that our society can continue to function, that those basic and essential services continue to function, and also that councils, as the third tier of government, come onboard and do what they need to do as part of an integrated three-tier government response to help improve and encourage business to survive during this pandemic.

We know that it has been a difficult time for many businesses across South Australia. It was pleasing to hear just yesterday that we now are down to only 7,000 jobs lost since the start of this pandemic. That is in the context of some 850,000-plus people in South Australia working. The fact that the number is so low is cause for very muted celebration. Those 7,000 people and their families, I am sure, do not join us in that celebration, and deservedly so. I think it stands as a testament to the response that all three tiers of government have put together to help deal with the health impacts of the pandemic.

Again, it is something in which local government has had a strong role to play, especially when it comes to the use of environmental health officers, to help make sure that everybody is abiding by the restrictions, especially in licensed and other food premises and the way they have managed to make sure our parks and playgrounds are COVID safe and the fact they have continued to provide those essential services during that time, and also from the economic standpoint, where, as a third tier of government, councils have a huge role to play.

Information and research that has been done has said that almost every single council across South Australia—I think we are now north of either 64 or 68 councils across South Australia—has helped to provide some level of financial or other in-kind relief to businesses and households right across South Australia. We think that that is a fantastic outcome and a great example of the local government sector working with the state and federal governments to help improve things. With those few remarks, I seek leave to continue my remarks at a later date.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.