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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-03-25 Daily Xml
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Question Time

SOLAR HOT WATER REBATES

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:29): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Development and Planning, representing the Minister for Energy, a question about solar hot water rebates.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: To be eligible for a rebate, the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure outlines that applicants must be homeowners who install a complying water heater to serve their principal place of residence. I have been contacted by a number of residents of retirement villages who are not entitled to the rebate because of the 99 year lease arrangement on their properties.

I have contacted the Retirement Village Association, and the association indicated that it has communicated its concerns to the Minister for Energy but, unfortunately, this has fallen on deaf ears. The association argues that these people are living in their principal place of residence and that they are responsible for the purchase of the solar hot water service and the ongoing expense of running that service. I also add that, given the general demographic of retirement village dwellers, people in their senior years are often very frugal and given to living in an economical way, such as making sure they do not leave the lights on when they do not really need to, and they are often in a financial position to invest in a solar hot water system.

I note that in the written response to the Retirement Village Association about those concerns, the Energy Programs Manager in DTEI confirmed the position that the rebate is available only to owner occupiers and that retirement village arrangements do not qualify. My question is: given the government's announcement yesterday of free off peak travel for seniors in this state, will the government now recognise that the seniors in our community who wish to participate in these energy saving devices should be treated equally and fairly in the same way as other South Australian citizens?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (14:32): It is interesting that in his question the honourable member should remind us all about how this government will make available from 1 July free travel in off peak times, at a cost of some millions of dollars per year, to all holders of a seniors card. That is a very significant contribution—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: It is amazing, Mr President, that we are hearing these sorts of comments from members opposite when this government, in very difficult financial times, has made the decision to help retirees, particularly self-funded retirees, many of whom have suffered significantly as a result of the downturn of financial markets and the falling stock market. In relation to the energy program, obviously there are rules that have been in place for many years.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: How long have those rules been there?

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: A long time.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: That's right. This government recognises the problems faced by those people in our community who have suffered, particularly as a result of the global financial crisis, and the government's announcement yesterday in relation to public transport is one of the more practical ways that assistance can be given.

This government has, during this very difficult financial time, found the money for one very significant innovation and, instead of congratulating the government for what it is doing, members of the opposition have come out and demanded more.

We are now officially into the year before the election; it is now fewer than 365 days to the next election. Given the global financial conditions we face, members opposite can come up with their proposals about what they will spend and how they will manage it. However, this government, through its careful and prudent financial management, in the seven budgets over the course of its government, has been able to report surpluses. The government knows that, with the collapse in revenue (in particular, the decline in revenue from the GST) it will receive this year, we are in very difficult straits, and this government has taken action.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Of course, if we wanted to, we could think of various schemes on which we would all like to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to help the people in this state. However, at the same time, what we have to do is run a responsible financial policy for the state. We have done that over the seven years of this government. As I have said, we are able to continue to provide for those most in need—such as all senior cardholders—new initiatives including this public transport initiative.

In relation to these other particular issues, of course the government is aware that there are many other claims, but they have to take their place in the assessment of need and benefit, along with the hundreds of other suggestions that are made. It is really time for the opposition to start to put up or shut up in relation to what it will be offering the people of South Australia in future elections.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

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