LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:31): I have a supplementary. Given that the minister has not responded to any of my specific questions in relation to Mount Gambier, am I to assume that he is taking those on notice and will bring back a reply?

The PRESIDENT: That cannot be a supplementary if he has not answered.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:31): I will comment anyway, Mr President. The way the financial assistance grants are done is that part of the formula is based on the fact of providing a minimum basic standard of council services for councils within South Australia. That means that a remote council, like Orroroo Carrieton, which has a very limited capacity to raise rates and get money, actually gets a higher share or proportion than one of the inner city councils, which have a much greater capacity to raise money.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I am glad you get the big issues, John; I'm glad you really tackle the big issues. Your contribution is so valuable. What happens is that if there is a total pool of money, if a city that has the capacity to raise revenue by rates or whatever receives more money then less goes to those that cannot. It is just the way the formula is. So if more money was given to Mount Gambier—which, obviously, under the formula, has a certain capacity to raise money—less would go to those in Orroroo Carrieton or wherever. That would have a significant impact on the services they provide to their residents.