Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act Fees Notice

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. H.M. Girolamo:

That the fees notice under the Births, Death and Marriages Registration Act 1996, made on 4 December 2024 and laid on the table of this council on 4 February 2025, be disallowed.

(Continued from 5 March 2025.)

The Hon. T.T. NGO (16:49): I rise today on behalf of the government to oppose the disallowance motion for the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act fees notice. As members will be aware, government fees and charges are reviewed not only to reflect inflation but to ensure that essential services can be sustained and improved for all South Australians. The fee increases at Births, Deaths and Marriages will support the increased number of searches conducted and certificates issued annually. In the 2021-22 financial year, 83,000 certificates were issued, and this number increased to 105,000 in the 2023-24 financial year.

The fees were last increased above indexation rates on 1 July 2019 by the former Liberal government. I was told that back then fees for all standard certificates were increased by $4.75, and a 5 per cent increase was also applied to fees for occupational and security industry licences. The Labor Malinauskas government intends to balance the need to keep fees reasonable with the necessity of sustaining and adequately meeting the needs of all South Australians, both now and into the future.

I would like to acknowledge the concerns raised by the honourable member about the cost-of-living pressures. As the honourable member said, people often seek the services of Births, Deaths and Marriages during emotionally challenging times. Without discounting these concerns, the necessary increase of around $5 for some certificates and services is relatively modest when compared to the broader cost of funeral services, legal framework and the like.

The alternative would be for Births, Deaths and Marriages to have administration inefficiencies that would impact grieving families and new parents in far more serious ways, such as delays in obtaining these essential documents. With that said, the government is opposed to this disallowance motion. Therefore, I do hope members support the proposed modest fee adjustments.

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (16:52): We are currently facing a cost-of-living crisis, and I think it is very cheeky from such an arrogant government to not only slug South Australians with a CPI increase but also to sneak in another increase in such a challenging time for many people in this state. It is clear that the Hon. Tung Ngo has drawn the short straw again with having to deliver this message on behalf of the government.

It is just a shame that this government cannot see that they are effectively taxing, or increasing the amount people are having to pay, at this time of need. It is very disappointing that the government will not be supporting it, but I will continue to highlight the arrogance of this government. To not only increase by CPI but also to sneak this in is incredibly disappointing.

The council divided on the motion:

Ayes 6

Noes 8

Majority 2

AYES

NOES

PAIRS

Motion thus negatived.