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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-11-13 Daily Xml
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Statutes Amendment (Superannuation and Other Payments) Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 12 November 2025.)

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (11:09): I rise to acknowledge the importance of the Statutes Amendment (Superannuation and Other Payments) Bill 2025. This bill represents an important step in modernising South Australia's superannuation framework, particularly bringing the parliamentary superannuation scheme into line with the broader public sector funds. It ensures that parliamentary arrangements are fair, contemporary and consistent with those applying to other public sector employees.

The bill makes sensible updates across several key acts, including the Electricity Corporations Act, Police Superannuation Act, Southern State Superannuation Act and the Superannuation Act 1988. These amendments collectively strengthen governance, modernise regulatory powers and create flexibility for future reforms and scheme transitions.

While the changes may appear technical, they reflect a broader effort to ensure our superannuation system is fair, transparent and sustainable. They bring consistency across the various public sector schemes, improve administrative efficiency and align the parliamentary superannuation scheme with modern employment and community standards. This is a practical, responsible reform to ensure the relevant legislation is up to date and fit for purpose. With that, I commend the bill to the house.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (11:10): I rise very briefly to indicate my opposition to the bill. The bill deals with superannuation arrangements for electricity corporation workers, police and politicians, and it is the latter group with which I have some concerns. The government states the bill is seeking to align the parliamentary super scheme with the public sector standard. I certainly recognise the need to modernise elements of the parliamentary super scheme. I also note that many of the elements that are being proposed here would be regarded as common sense and I am sure would be accepted by the community.

I also want to note, though, that politicians already enjoy a number of benefits that are not afforded to all public sector workers, including higher salaries, access to a range of allowances and entitlements, flexibility at work during non-sitting periods, and relative security of tenure—after all, we do enjoy eight-year terms in this place.

I am also mindful that we are having this discussion at a time when the government is locked in pay disputes with a number of public sector unions. Is this really the number one priority in the dying days of this parliament, with just three days remaining in this parliamentary term, particularly at a time when so many South Australians are struggling?

This brings me to my next concern: the process that has been adopted here by the government, which I think is very poor. The bill has been on the Notice Paper for only 24 hours. It is the convention that bills sit here for at least a week before they are debated to provide enough time for them to be given appropriate consideration. In fact, when I checked this morning, the bill was not even listed on the parliamentary website, so it was not possible for it to be accessed by the public. I do acknowledge the government circulated it to members.

This chamber is meant to be a house of review that scrutinises legislation. I think that is even more important when we are dealing with things that relate to our own interests. It is vital that changes to MPs' entitlements, whether they are big or small, are subject to the appropriate level of public scrutiny. Faith in democracy is already at an all-time low, and I caution the government that rushing legislation like this only serves to further undermine faith in our democratic institutions. I think we owe it to the community to make sure that we deal with these discussions in a more open and transparent way. It is on that basis that I will not be supporting the bill.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (11:13): I thank the honourable members for their contributions and look forward to the committee stage.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

In committee.

Clauses 1 to 3 passed.

Clause 4.

The CHAIR: This is a money clause. I point out to the committee that, this clause being a money clause in erased type, standing order 298 provides that no question shall be put in committee on any such clause. The message transmitting the bill to the House of Assembly is required to indicate that this clause is deemed necessary to the bill. So I do not put the question.

Clauses 5 to 9 passed.

Clause 10.

The CHAIR: This is also a money clause. I point out to the committee that, this clause being a money clause in erased type, standing order 298 provides that no question shall be put in committee on any such clause. The message transmitting the bill to the House of Assembly is required to indicate that this clause is deemed necessary to the bill.

Clauses 11 to 17 passed.

Clause 18.

The CHAIR: This is a money clause, and it is as I have indicated prior.

Clauses 19 to 20 passed.

Clause 21.

The CHAIR: This is a money clause, and it is as I have explained before.

Clause 22 passed.

Clause 23.

The CHAIR: This is a money clause, and it is as I have previously advised.

Clauses 24 to 25 passed.

Clauses 26 to 28.

The CHAIR: These are money clauses, so they are as I have previously advised.

Remaining clauses (29 to 47) and title passed.

Bill reported without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (11:18): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.

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