Cost of Living

Ms HOOD (Adelaide) (14:35): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier advise the house what measures the government is taking to ease cost-of-living pressures and some of the challenges facing South Australian households?

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:36): Soon after coming to office it became apparent to all those on this side of the house that inflation was a very substantial challenge that the nation, and indeed the state, was facing in a way that has a material impact on people's household budgets. Inflation isn't an esoteric statistic. Often we talk about—

The Hon. D.G. Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is called to order.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: We often talk about macro-economic statistics and we focus on the unemployment number. That, of course, is important, but the truth is that unemployment affects those who are unemployed, whereas inflation has the unfavourable characteristic of affecting everybody. No-one is immune from the impacts of inflation, and with inflation going to some of the highest levels we have seen in recent history, certainly around the Western world—and we are talking about 10 per cent now in the United Kingdom—that is a big deal.

As a government, we have been determined to act and do everything we reasonably can to make sure that the burden of inflation and cost of living going up is diminished, with a particular orientation towards helping out those who can least afford the impacts of inflation. We have done substantial things, including in the most recent state budget doubling the Cost of Living Concession to a number that has never been seen in the history of our state to over $400. We have brought forward, to the tune of eight months, the benefit of that that applies to renters. That program used to be disjointed in terms of the timing of the rollout of those figures.

To the credit of members of the opposition, they announced a policy in the election to introduce a discount on the materials and services fee charged of $100. We saw the merit of that policy and immediately matched it. Now, having formed government, we have the ability to implement it, which of course has now been done. We have done other things in respect of supporting those organisations that are at the front line of delivering services to those people who might be affected as a consequence of the cost-of-living crisis.

However, there is always more you can do, and sometimes it is not just about the actions that government takes. Sometimes it's about the actions the parliament can take to prevent an unreasonable impost upon members of the community. One such example could be the impost of paid parking, the introduction of paid parking upon tens of thousands of people in the north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! There is a point of order, which I will hear from the member for Morialta.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order, sir: it has been held as a convention for a long time that ministers not refer to debates currently before the house in question time or at any other time in the house, other than while the matter is under debate as an order of the day.

The SPEAKER: I will listen carefully and keep the convention in mind.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: I am relieved that at the election a group of people were elected to represent the north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide who understand these challenges. They understand the impacts that the cost-of-living burden can have on people. New members from the seat of King, from the seat of Newland, our existing members in the seat of Torrens, in the seat of Florey, in the seat of Wright—these are people who understand that action is often required to prevent an unfair impost to be introduced upon thousands and thousands of people.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Morialta, this point of order is raised very close to the conclusion of the question. I will hear it but I may also on indulgence provide extra time to the Premier.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Sir, I note that the time has stopped on the Premier's clock, so that saves that problem.

The SPEAKER: Perhaps.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Standing order 98: the Premier is debating and is actually not responding to the substance of the question, unless he is contravening the rule around reflections on current issues on the Notice Paper.

The SPEAKER: I am not sure I agree. I will hear the Premier.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think it's important that the people of South Australia, particularly members of the community from the north-eastern suburbs, know that the member for Newland, the member for King, the member for Wright, the member for Florey, the member for Torrens will be utterly relentless in campaigning on cost-of-living issues. They know what matters to their constituents and they will be out there day and night, morning, lunch time, campaigning on the ground, talking to people. One such location that is a beacon of activity in terms of consumer behaviour is, of course, Westfield Tea Tree Plaza. We are going to be out there talking to people about the issues that matter and make sure that their interests are protected economically.

The SPEAKER: I see the member for Heysen.