Land Tax

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:09): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer a question about land tax inquiries.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: I understand that Revenue SA has a dedicated phone number and email address to assist individuals with land tax inquiries in light of the recent changes to land tax. I have been advised by a constituent that they were told they would have to wait three months to receive an answer to their 14 January 2020 land tax query involving six properties because Revenue SA were short-staffed. My question to the Treasurer is: how many Revenue SA staff are working on land tax inquiries and what are the average minimum and maximum response times for such inquiries?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:10): The honourable member did give me some notice of the question but I am not in a position to give the detailed answer to all aspects of the question yet. Can I say it would be unacceptable general practice for constituents ringing up for the helpline to be advised that as a general rule it would take three months for a response. I have sought some advice in relation to the response times—I guess that is the appropriate phrase in terms of questions.

In terms of staffing numbers, I do know, as part of the package of measures that were finally approved by the parliament last year, there was additional resourcing provided both in terms of an IT system but also additional staffing resources to manage the implementation of the land tax package from July of this year. I think during the committee stage of the debate, honourable members did ask me the question and I placed on the record some of that information, but I am happy to take the remainder of the honourable member's question on notice and bring back a reply as soon as possible.