Economic Stimulus Package

In reply to the Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (24 March 2020).

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): I have been provided the following advice:

Of the initial $350 million of economic stimulus measures to help grow the South Australian economy and secure local jobs in the wake of the ongoing impact of bushfire and coronavirus, around $40 million relates to projects bought forward from future years ($38 million from the period up to 2023-24 and $2 million that would otherwise have been spent in 2024-25). This includes the $15 million for country hospital upgrades and $10 million in social housing maintenance. In addition, $15 million was brought forward from the planning and development fund as part of the government's commitment to work with local councils to deliver $50 million of shovel-ready projects to support local jobs.

The other announced measures total $232 million of new money, and include support for:

new infrastructure projects;

the Economic and Business Growth Fund;

nature based tourism;

bushfire recovery and rebuild measures; and

the government's grassroots football, cricket and netball program.

The remaining $78 million of measures has yet to be finalised and announced.

The $120 million of new infrastructure projects that will be fast tracked to support local jobs and businesses, includes:

$52 million for targeted regional road network repair and improvement, including on the Stuart Highway, Yorke Highway, Dukes Highway and Riddoch Highway;

$35 million to rehabilitate and resurface the South Eastern Freeway between the tollgate and Crafers;

$15 million for Heysen Tunnel refit and safety upgrade;

$12 million for a higher capacity north-south freight route by-passing Adelaide; and

$6 million to seal Adventure Way and Innamincka Airport Road.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its significant impact on local businesses, industry sectors and jobs, the South Australian government has announced a second economic stimulus package – the Jobs Rescue Package, worth $650 million – that will provide immediate financial support and relief to those most affected. This takes the total Marshall Liberal government's economic response package to the impacts of the coronavirus to $1 billion.