House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-07-04 Daily Xml

Contents

State Major Bank Levy

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): Given that the Treasurer has proudly boasted to the people of South Australia that he didn't consult with any industry association or not one of the 145,000 South Australian small businesses, can he reveal to this house who did the modelling for this new state bank levy and will he reveal it to the people of South Australia?

The SPEAKER: Before the Treasurer answers, I call to order the members for Davenport, Stuart and Chaffey, and I warn the member for Morialta for the first time.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:27): The bank levy and its theory comes from an eminent source, the Hon. Scott Morrison, Treasurer of Australia. This is what the Treasurer had to say about the major bank levy, which the state government is replicating:

It is not a levy on depositors or savers or mortgage holders—

Ms Sanderson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Adelaide has been warned already.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —and if members opposite are saying that it is, they are saying that of their commonwealth colleagues. He goes on to say:

The major bank levy does not give any bank an excuse to increase costs for their customers.

He goes on to say:

Following the introduction of the levy, it is my expectation that, in setting their prices, banks will effectively balance the needs of borrowers, savers, shareholders and the wider community.

Eminently put by the federal Treasurer. The members opposite—

Mr Marshall: So, no state-based modelling?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Other than the commonwealth Treasurer—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Where were these attacks—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is called to order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Where were these attacks when the major bank levy was introduced by the commonwealth? Where was the criticism? Where was the outrage? Where was the disgust? Where was the campaign? Where were the moves in the Liberal Party councils to stop this bank levy? There was silence. Why? Because they supported it.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: This is purely political, and shouting shows that there is no policy substitute.

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is warned.

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I'm sorry, who made that last utterance?

Mr Pengilly: I did.

The SPEAKER: The member for Finniss is warned.