Motions

Marshall Liberal Government Budgetary Management

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (17:06): I move:

That this council commends the Marshall Liberal government for its strong budgetary management confirmed by:

1. Meeting its commitments to eliminate payroll tax on small business, slash the emergency services levy on families and businesses and cut water bills while providing support to families and business during COVID-19 totalling more than $4 billion;

2. Delivering a 2021-22 budget which returns the operating balance to surplus in 2022-23; and

3. Delivering upgrades to South Australia’s credit rating by ratings agencies.

During our time in government, the Liberals met commitments to eliminate payroll tax on small business, slash the emergency services levy on families and businesses and cut water bills while providing support to families and businesses during COVID-19, totalling more than $4 billion. We also delivered the 2021-22 budget, which would return the operating balance to surplus in 2022-23 and delivered upgrades to South Australia's credit ratings by ratings agencies.

In 2018, prior to the election in South Australia, our taxes were far too high, as Labor disproportionately increased government fees and charges and allowed council rates to rise above inflation. Power prices were amongst the highest in the world, not to mention our electricity supply was highly unreliable, with no solution to ensure that South Australians did not have to suffer through statewide blackouts. It was the same for our water prices, which Labor deliberately and deceitfully kept high to protect their budget revenue at the suffering of South Australian residents who were paying through the roof for this essential service.

South Australians elected the Liberal government in 2018, aware of our proven track record and effective economic credentials and ability to manage the economy. We did this with great success. We did more to transform our state's economic opportunities than Labor did in the 16 years that they were in office before us. When we came into government in 2018, we searched for opportunities to create growth and jobs in South Australia.

The Liberal Party did not want to follow Labor's idea of turning Lot Fourteen into yet another apartment building. We wanted to stimulate our economy and bring us back from the terrible position it was in. We made this dream a reality with the vision of Lot Fourteen coming to life, seeing the total transformation of this significant spot in our city into a startup and growth hub, an entrepreneur and innovation centre, the national Space Agency, the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre and the Digital Technologies Academy. It is also creating gainful employment and collaboration for over 1,300 people. Lot Fourteen has created and will continue to create endless opportunity for South Australians and will bring ideas for the future right here in Adelaide.

In our term of government, we delivered the lowest unemployment rate in 40 years and the highest economic growth in the nation. In September 2018, former Treasurer, the Hon. Rob Lucas, announced that the global rating agency Standard & Poor's had upgraded Australia's long-term credit rating to AA+ based on the stable economic outlook and the expectations of sustained operating surpluses. In September 2018, Standard & Poor's reported that the South Australian government was taking material steps to achieve savings targets, containing expenditure growth and debt levels.

Not only did the Liberals reduce household bills for South Australians, we also provided massive supports for South Australian businesses that were impacted by COVID restrictions. We wanted to support these businesses that were unable to operate as normal as we managed our response to the pandemic. This included:

cash grants of up to $22,000 for eligible businesses;

an additional $8,000 Business Hardship Grant for eligible businesses;

payroll tax deferral for tourism, hospitality and gyms; and

liquor licence fee waivers for eligible licence holders.

Under the Liberal government, South Australians benefited hugely from lower household bills, including a saving of $184 on average per year on the emergency services levy. Overall, average households in Adelaide were reaping the benefits of $940 extra in their pockets every year thanks to the number of the Liberal government's low-cost policies.

One of the biggest household costs for South Australians was cut dramatically under the Liberal government. An independent review of SA Water's regulated asset base (RAB) saw a huge decrease in what households and businesses were paying each quarter for water supply and usage. Under our government, families saw a reduction of about $200 on average each year and businesses were set to save about $1,300 per year, after Labor purposely kept water bills high by overinflating SA Water's RAB to cover their debts and to pass on the costs to South Australians.

Under the Liberal government, we worked tirelessly for the people of South Australia making our state a great place to live—in fact, number one in the country and number three worldwide. The Labor Party must stop making reckless promises that will drive up the cost of living for all South Australians and undo the hard work that has been put into place to get the budget back into the black after year upon year of South Australia being in the red under Labor rule.

Labor's unfunded promises equate to a staggering $3 billion that will put huge pressures on household costs in South Australia. We will potentially be looking at paying an extra $4,000 in taxes, fees and charges under Labor. The question that remains is: will Labor ever be able to deliver a surplus budget? History would suggest not.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.