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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-12-01 Daily Xml
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ELECTION PROMISES

Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:06): My question is again to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer be trusted on his election promises, given his record of keeping his promises at the last election?

The SPEAKER: Order! I can either rule it straight out of order or I can give the Treasurer a level of indulgence commensurate with the indulgence that I think the deputy leader is asking for in the question. Does the deputy leader want an opportunity to rephrase his question, or does he want to stick to it?

Mr GRIFFITHS: I am prepared to accept it as it is expressed, with my explanation, though, sir, if I may seek your leave.

The SPEAKER: Let us hear the explanation.

Mr GRIFFITHS: The Treasurer was asked on radio on 16 March 2006 during the election campaign whether he would fund his election promises by cutting jobs. He said in response:

No. All these spendings can be provided through appropriate efficiencies and savings within a budget.

However, after the election, at the 2006-07 budget, the Treasurer announced some 1,571 public jobs would be cut through the Greg Smith review and then, on 19 December 2008, the Treasurer announced that a further 1,600 public sector jobs would be cut, taking the total job cuts to almost 3,200 during the government's current term.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations) (15:07): Many personal failings I may have, but I hope and trust that the parliament knows that I will do all in my power to ensure that a consistent set of policies are delivered should we win office at the next election. I do not think we could have been more upfront in saying that we have a massive savings task; that job losses will be a factor in it because of the need to ensure that we keep our finances in the black; that we will continue to maintain fiscal rectitude; and I am confident that, with our unprecedented candour and openness about what we intend to do should we win government, quite frankly, I think we should be applauded.

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