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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-05-06 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Statement

Council of Australian Governments

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:01): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: On Friday 17 April, I attended the Council of Australian Governments meeting in Canberra, along with other state and territory leaders, the President of the Australian Local Government Association and the Prime Minister. I am pleased to report that it was a fruitful meeting held in a constructive spirit. Among the list of positive outcomes were discussions on defence, renewable energy and addressing violence against women.

Importantly, COAG acknowledged the contribution that a continuous naval build strategy could make to strengthening Australia's industrial capability, employment, specialist industry skills and workforce capability. States and territories noted the uncertainty regarding the renewable energy target and that a speedy resolution was desirable.

Leaders agreed to take urgent collective action in 2015 to address the unacceptable level of violence against women in Australia. Actions included a national domestic violence order scheme where DVOs could be automatically recognised and enforceable in any state or territory of Australia.

South Australians, indeed all Australians, want a safe and secure job, they want access to health and education, and they want to be supported as they age. They want politicians to work together. They want a vision for this country beyond just more cuts. That is why I am pleased to report to this house that COAG agreed to hold a special retreat in July where such a vision could be discussed. The leaders' retreat will be dedicated to considering how the federation works and how services like health, education and aged care are funded and delivered. I look forward to this opportunity and to a continuation of the constructive work of the recent COAG meeting.

I am extremely pleased that the $80 billion of cuts to health and education set out in the 2014-15 commonwealth budget will be back on the table for discussion. I can inform the house that the Victorian Premier, Queensland Premier and I yesterday wrote to the Prime Minister welcoming the commitment to the retreat and the discussion of federation issues. We are committed to pursuing a constructive dialogue at the retreat.

However, we believe that the Prime Minister could instil great confidence in the retreat process by immediately reversing the cuts that were made to pensioner concessions. Some jurisdictions have implemented short-term measures that have staved off the direct impact of concession cuts on vulnerable people. In the context of the commonwealth budget, restoring this funding is a moderate sum totalling $1.3 billion nationally over four years, but it would demonstrate good faith with states and territories and the broader Australian public.

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