House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-07-10 Daily Xml

Contents

SUSTAINABLE BUDGET COMMISSION REPORT

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (14:31): My question is also to the Treasurer. When was former treasurer Foley's SBC report publicly released?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Workers Rehabilitation, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:32): I am glad the member for Torrens has asked. I was rather bemused to see this morning that the member for Waite has finally worked out how to use Google to access the SBC report that was released by this government two years ago.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: The matters in the second—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: The matters in the second and final report of the Sustainable Budget Commission were considered and responded to, including a press kit, as part of former treasurer Kevin Foley's budget delivered on 16 September 2010. Funnily enough, it was posted on the Treasury website that very day.

The SBC report was established at the time of the 2009-10 budget to assist the government in identifying $750 million in savings over three years from 2010-11 to 2012-13. I am pleased to tell the house that the government is well on track to achieve these savings. I note in the paper today that senior Liberal sources are quoted as saying that the SBC report will be dusted off by the Liberals as part of their so-called independent audit commission. One has to wonder: is the Liberal Party really so out of ideas that they have to recycle those ideas that were rejected by former treasurer Foley?

There is nothing mysterious about the SBC report. The only mystery is how the Liberal Party will make savings to fund their election promises. Perhaps the member for Waite should take some of the mystery out of how to use the internet and enrol in a WEA course. I have taken the liberty of arranging an enrolment form for him.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Unley.