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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-04-10 Daily Xml
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STATE GOVERNMENT CONCESSIONS

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. M.C. Parnell:

That this council—

1. Notes that state government concessions for low income households in South Australia have not been comprehensively reviewed for over ten years and have not kept up with price rises; and

2. Calls on the government, as a matter of urgency, to comprehensively review all concession arrangements to ensure that all South Australians have access to affordable energy, water, public transport and other public utilities and services.

(Continued from 6 February 2013.)

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (16:52): In moving this motion, the Hon. Ms Franks would be well aware that the recent amendments to the Social Security Act are a federal matter. As I understand it, the federal government continues to provide additional support for families by ensuring unemployment remains low. The federal government has introduced initiatives such as dad and partner pay as well as paid parental leave for the first time ever across the nation.

The ACTING PRESIDENT (Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins): Honourable member, is this the right motion? You referred to the Hon. Ms Franks, and this is a motion in the name of the Hon. Mr Parnell.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Well, this is it, yes. This is the state concessions, yes.

The ACTING PRESIDENT (Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins): Yes, but you did refer to Hon. Ms Franks.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I did, and that's what I've got in my speech, Mr Acting President.

The ACTING PRESIDENT (Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins): Proceed.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Anyway, it is the content of the speech that matters to working people and families. The federal government has introduced initiatives, such as dad and partner pay, as well as paid parental leave.

Furthermore, on 20 March 2013, the Hon. Bill Shorten announced that more than one million Australian income support recipients, including those on Newstart and single parents, will receive the Income Support Bonus as the Gillard government's $1.1 billion bonus comes into effect. The bonus will help households cope with unexpected costs, such as urgent repairs on the family car, essential appliances, medical expenses or bills that are higher than expected.

The Income Support Bonus will provide more than one million Australians with an extra $210 each year for eligible singles and $350 for eligible couples. The state government also recognises that people who rely on income support often find it hard to manage unexpected costs, and we understand that many South Australians on income support are feeling the pinch of rising cost of living pressures.

I am pleased to advise the chamber of what this government is doing to help more vulnerable members of our community. For example, this government has increased the rate and number of concessions for several major charges to help eligible South Australians meet those living costs. We currently provide a concession on council rates of up to $190 per year, or up to $100 per year for a Seniors Card holder. When this government was elected, energy concessions were $70, and had not increased—

The Hon. T.A. Franks interjecting:

The ACTING PRESIDENT (Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins): Order! Can I just clarify with the honourable member that he is actually speaking to Order of the Day: Private Business No. 17 rather than Order of the Day: Private Business No. 11, which I have been advised he may be doing?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I am speaking to item No. 17. This is the speech the minister has given me.

The ACTING PRESIDENT (Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins): The members who moved Nos 11 and 17 respectively think that it may be referring to No. 11.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I will seek leave to conclude my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.

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