Goods and Services Tax

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (15:28): Supplementary question arising from the answer and particularly the very last part of the answer: would the Treasurer then agree that advocating for a change to a per capita distribution would be advocating against the interests of this state?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:28): I have not and will not be advocating for a per capita distribution to South Australia. I have no concerns at all in repeating that ad nauseam. The Leader of the Opposition can ask the question, or indeed members of the Labor opposition can ask the question, any which way they choose and they will get the same response from me, from the Premier and from other ministers and MPs in the Marshall Liberal government.

The Marshall Liberal government was elected on a platform of fighting for South Australia, and we will continue to fight in the interests of South Australia, in the interests of South Australian families and in the interests of South Australian businesses. We have no concerns at all about putting the interests of South Australia first, before political judgements. We will put the interests of South Australia first in relation to the issue of the GST funding formula.

The PRESIDENT: Honourable members, the time for questions without notice has been completed. Can I remind honourable members that a strict interpretation of the standing orders is that proceedings of committees cannot be raised in the chamber. I have allowed some latitude today. Going forward, can members have regard to that when crafting their questions.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: Or answers.

The PRESIDENT: The Leader of the Opposition! Including answers as well. I was not pointing any fingers to a particular member.