South Australia Shadow Minister for Tourism David Ridgway

Government Warned Over Flat Surfing Carnival

Victor P Taffa

The State Labor Government was warned in May last year that the Kangaroo Island surfing competition was at risk of failing to attract a large audience.

The then Shadow Tourism Minister Terry Stephens warned his counterpart, John Rau, on 25 May 2011 that numbers would be down on the Government’s estimate because of the high cost of travelling to the island.

“Not only that, but Mr. Rau appears to be gilding the lily on this one and trying to sell South Australians a pup in terms of the ‘world’s best’ surfers competing.” Mr. Stephens accurately predicted at the time.”

“Labor wants South Australians to believe this event is for the world’s best surfers. It’s not – it’s only for surfers outside the world’s top 32.” Mr. Rau said then.

Liberal frontbencher David Ridgway said today the Labor Government had learnt nothing in the past nine months.

“Current Tourism Minister Gail Gago claimed on radio this morning that the carnival had been ‘a success’.” Mr. Ridgway said.

“I wonder what her definition of failure is.”

“This event cost taxpayers $700,000. Perhaps by her reasoning, the more we lose and the more it costs the bigger the so-called ‘success’.” Mr. Ridgway said.

South Australia Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond

Snelling Celebrates One Year As Treasurer As Cost Of Living Escalates

Victor P Taffa

South Australians should be furious with Treasurer Snelling after one year in the job, as cost of living pressures escalate.

Leader of the Opposition Isobel Redmond said today marks 12 months since Mr. Snelling’s appointment as Treasurer.

“In Mr. Snelling’s first year as Treasurer, our state’s budget balance is $367 Million in deficit, state debt has exploded to $8.5 Billion, and net financial liabilities have ballooned to $21.8 Billion.”

“South Australians shouldn’t forget that Labor’s toxic carbon tax – which Mr. Snelling and Mr. Weatherill support – will only make things worse in SA.”

“Cost of living pressures since 2002 have exploded on Labor’s watch.” Ms. Redmond said.

In fact, since 2002 the CPI has increased by 33 % while in the same period:

• Water bills have increased by 178 %
• Electricity bills have increased by more than 106 %
• State taxes have increased by 81 %
• Gas bills have increased by almost 79 %
• Property charges have increased by 72 %
• Housing rents have increased by almost 46 %

“South Australians are paying dearly for Labor’s mismanagement – this should not be forgotten when people in Port Adelaide and Ramsay go to the polling booth this Saturday.” Ms. Redmond said.

Key points to commiserate as Mr. Snelling celebrates his first anniversary as Treasurer:

• Mr. Snelling has increased our state’s deficit
• Mr. Snelling has increased state debt
• Mr. Snelling supports Labor’s toxic carbon tax
• Mr. Snelling will privatise the SA Lotteries Commission
• Mr. Snelling will proceed with the sale of our state’s forests
• Mr. Snelling supports the payment of $1.1M per day for 30 years for a hospital building with no doctors, nurses and medical equipment
• Mr. Snelling increased drivers’ licence renewals by 32% in his first budget
• Mr. Snelling increased speeding fines by 29% in his first budget
• Mr. Snelling has abandoned the retention of our state’s triple-A credit rating
• Mr. Snelling supports the present levels of taxation which makes SA the highest taxed state in Australia

South Australia Opposition Leader in the Legislative Council David Ridgway

Weatherill A Foul Fair-Weather Friend

Victor P Taffa

Premier Weatherill has given a major automotive contract to an Asian company, throwing 17 people in his own electorate out of work.

“Labor bangs the drum about hundreds of millions of dollars handed out to the subsidiary of an American auto giant, but the Premier won’t step in to save people’s jobs in his own electorate who work for a proud Australian-owned company.” Liberal frontbencher David Ridgway said today.

Custom Coaches has been building buses at Royal Park in Jay Weatherill’s western Adelaide seat of Cheltenham since 1975.

“After almost 40 years of providing good, quality buses to South Australians and giving work to hundreds of skilled tradesmen – as well as providing valuable apprenticeships in welding and coach building – the company and its staff have been sold out.” Mr. Ridgway said.

“They’ve been sacrificed by a Premier so out of touch with his electorate that he thinks local jobs don’t matter.”

With 180 employees, Custom Coaches builds up to 200 buses and coaches a year for the South Australian and interstate market. Or, at least, it did.

“When the Labor Government sought expressions of interest to build a new fleet of more than 50 large and medium school buses, Custom Coaches must have been reasonably confident of winning the tender.” Mr. Ridgway said.

“After all, the company makes school buses for the A.C.T. and West Australian Governments. It is clearly a national player. Unfortunately, that doesn’t count for beans in Jay Weatherill’s mind.”

“Labor has decided to buy Malaysian-built buses.”

“Naturally Custom Coaches provides its employees with superannuation, WorkCover, other entitlements and high safety standards on the shop floor.” Mr. Ridgway said.

“Malaysian factories don’t have to do that, so imports can look cheaper on paper than buses made by skilled craftsmen in Adelaide.”

“But some of Custom Coaches’ buses are still on the road 40 years after they left the factory. There’s a good argument that over the life of the bus, the Australian-built product can be very competitive and may even be cheaper.”

“Then there are the Aussie suppliers. For example the seats in Custom Coaches’ school buses are built in Australia, providing local jobs. Those jobs now will also disappear.” Mr. Ridgway said.

“And at Custom Coaches, 17 men have had to be sacked, with devastating consequences to their careers and their families.”

“Who is going to pay to retrain them? Who is going to provide the social security while these once-proud men are unemployed?” Mr. Ridgway asked.

“But appeals to Jay Weatherill and others like Education Minister Grace Portolesi have failed. They’ve failed because the Ministers fail to understand that coach-building is as much a part of South Australia’s automotive sector as car-building.”

“Jay Weatherill is after a headline, not a solution. He wants to be seen as the White Knight of GMH, and doesn’t care if he’s the Black Knight of Cheltenham.”

“It’s a ruthless decision by a ruthless Premier.” Mr. Ridgway said.

South Australia Shadow Attorney-General Stephen Wade

Bikie War Shows Labor Has Failed

Victor P Taffa

The escalation of violence among outlaw motorcycle gangs in recent months is proof that the Labor Government’s anti-gang strategy has failed.

Under 10 years of Labor, the New Boys street gang has escalated from a street group to an outlaw gang.

“Labor’s hapless tough talking on bikies has made it the best recruitment agent the gangs have ever had.” Shadow Attorney-General Stephen Wade said.

“Labor’s fruitless tough talking has elevated outlaw leaders like Vincenzo Focarelli to rock star status.”

“New laws will only ever reinforce well-established laws and Policing practice. We need aggressive, targeted law enforcement against known criminals.” Mr. Wade said.

“We need to use every law in the book to control these people – from road traffic laws to the criminal law to public safety orders. I don’t care if we get Al Capone for tax evasion.”

“Labor has lost court challenges, lost valuable time and lost control. The gangs have been emboldened and have grown.”

“There are more gangs, more gang members and just as many gang club houses than when this Labor Government took power in 2002.” Mr. Wade said.

“Promising to be tough on law and order is one thing but delivering it is another and as with most of Labor’s commitments this one has proven to be hollow.”

“Labor promised to tear down bikie fortresses but not one has been bulldozed.”

“Premier Weatherill needs to explain to South Australians what he is going to do to make our streets safe again.” Mr. Wade said.

South Australia Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade Steven Marshall

What’s Wrong With A Holden, Mr. Kenyon?

Victor P Taffa

Despite ongoing doubts over the future of Holden in South Australia, gaffe-prone Labor Government Minister Kenyon uses a Toyota as his chauffeured-driven vehicle.

Mr. Kenyon’s choice of chauffeured-driven vehicle is a “pimped out” black Toyota Prado 4WD, rather than a locally-made Holden.

Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade Steven Marshall said he was disappointed that Mr Kenyon had made a conscious decision to not support local jobs and the local manufacturing industry.

“Premier Weatherill must be embarrassed by today’s revelation considering the doubts that have been surrounding Holden and the local car manufacturing industry over the last few weeks.” Mr. Marshall said.

“I call on Mr. Kenyon to tell Holden workers and South Australians why he has chosen to use a Toyota vehicle, rather than a locally-made Holden.”

“What’s wrong with a Holden, Mr. Kenyon?”

“It is reasonable to expect that regional MPs would have a 4WD, however Mr. Kenyon is not a regional MP.” Mr. Marshall said.

“If Mr. Kenyon’s reason for using a Toyota Prado is to take his children to official Ministerial functions, he needs to provide details of those functions.”

“While it is hardly surprising that Mr. Kenyon’s judgment has again been called into question, it is embarrassing that Premier Weatherill has allowed this to happen.” Mr. Marshall said.

“What message does this send to Holden if Premier Weatherill’s Ministers are not even using locally-built Holden cars?”

“Today’s revelation is symbolic of the Weatherill Government’s warped priorities and how out of touch Labor has become with the community.”

“South Australians in Ramsay and Port Adelaide should not forget this when they go to the polls and vote on the 11th of February.” Mr. Marshall said.

South Australia Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council David Ridgway

Labor’s Taxpayer-Funded Campaign

Victor P Taffa

The Labor Government is up to its old tricks, this time using public funds to campaign in the Port Adelaide by-election.

Premier Jay Weatherill used taxpayer monies to pay for an expensive newspaper advertisement which said he wanted public input to create a new master plan for Port Adelaide.

“It was a con by a Labor Party desperate not to lose Kevin Foley’s old seat.” Liberal frontbencher David Ridgway said.

“This public consultation has as much to do with the ALP as Guy Fawkes have to do with democracy.”

“The Land Management Corporation, a statutory body created by Act of Parliament, is obliged to consult with the public. Jay Weatherill has nothing to do with it.” Mr. Ridgway said.

“Neither those who saw the newspaper advertisement nor the hundreds of innocent people who turned up to the meeting about Port Adelaide’s future would have known that Jay Weatherill was there merely loitering with intent.”

“That intent is to distance himself from his decision to build Newport Quays and raze the Port’s history.” Mr. Ridgway said.

“That’s why, with a difficult by-election now just weeks away, he’s pretending to wash his hands clean.”

“But the stain won’t come off. Jay Weatherill was first planning minister in the Rann Government and he sat at the Cabinet table while these developments were being ticked off.”

“He’s now attempting to paint himself as a white knight for halting Newport Quays which should have been done properly in the first place.” Mr. Ridgway said.

“And his about-face is possibly going to be far, far more expensive than people realise.”

“I’m told that one of the interested parties in the cancelled project believes compensation in the order of $120 Million might be appropriate.”

“The people and voters of Port Adelaide will pay the cost of this litigation and compensation.” Mr. Ridgway said.

“Everything Labor has touched at Port Adelaide has turned to mud.”

“In this by-election, put Labor last.” Mr. Ridgway said.

South Australia Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade Steven Marshall

Labor Plays Politics With SA’s Car Industry

Victor P Taffa

No detail has been provided to the Liberal Opposition or South Australians about Premier Weatherill’s announcement to provide taxpayer funds to co-invest in Holden.

Despite calls from the Liberal Opposition as early as last year for a bipartisan approach to the problems faced by the automotive industry, Premier Weatherill and Minister Koutsantonis have still not included the Liberal Opposition in any discussions or provided any briefings on the industry support package.

“It is all well and good for Minister Koutsantonis to play the ‘bipartisan’ card during radio interviews, but unless that offer of consultation is actually extended off-air then the gesture is meaningless.” Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade Steven Marshall said.

“Premier Weatherill and Minister Koutsantonis both supports Labor’s toxic carbon tax which will seriously damage SA?s automotive industry – the Liberal Opposition does not.”

“Make no mistake, South Australia will need to borrow money to pay for this co-investment. The very least the Weatherill Labor Government could do is provide taxpayers with a cost benefit analysis through the Industry Development Committee.” Mr. Marshall said.

On radio yesterday, Minister Koutsantonis announced that he would reform the Industry Development Committee to look at the co-investment plan for Holden. This Committee was originally created to provide bi-partisan advice to the Treasurer on industry assistance packages, but has not met since 2006.

“Mr. Koutsantonis has provided no details about when the Committee would be reformed and has not contacted the Liberal Opposition with any information either.” Mr. Marshall said.

“South Australians deserve to know how much of their taxes will be provided to Holden, and they deserve to hear what plans Minister Koutsantonis has to ensure the long-term prosperity of this integral part of the South Australian economy.”

“I call on Minister Koutsantonis to stop playing politics with South Australia’s automotive industry.”

“Labor is deliberately trying to deflect attention away from Premier Weatherill’s unpopular decision this week to gift former Premier Rann with a number of unnecessary perks.” Mr. Marshall said.

South Australia Shadow Minister for Employment David Pisoni

Youth Unemployment Crisis Continues

Victor P Taffa

Almost a third of young South Australians are still unable to find full-time work, according to ABS statistics released today.

South Australia’s youth unemployment rate was 30.5 % in December – the second highest of all states and well above the national rate of 26.5 %.

The number of unemployed South Australians increased to 46,200 in December.

Shadow Employment Minister David Pisoni said despite Mr. Weatherill’s spin it was clear Labor had abandoned young job seekers.

“Flying in the face of Mr. Weatherill’s rhetoric about a new focus on our young people, nearly a third of young South Australians looking for full-time work are unable to find it.” Mr. Pisoni said.

“At the 2010 State Election, Labor committed to creating 100,000 new jobs, but continually fails to deliver on this promise.”

“The last quarter of 2011 showed SA had 8,600 job vacancies, compared to an estimated 16,600 12 months before.” Mr. Pisoni said.

“The number of people unemployed in South Australia has actually increased by 6,400 since Labor’s election promise to create 100,000 new jobs.”

“With SA having the highest taxes and the worst business confidence in Australia, businesses cannot afford to create jobs or increase hours for their workers.” Mr. Pisoni said.

“If jobs growth in SA had matched national jobs growth under this State Labor Government, there would be almost 40,000 more jobs in SA.”

“Premier Weatherill must explain to South Australians why his Labor Government has landed the State in an unemployment crisis.” Mr. Pisoni said.

South Australia Shadow Treasurer Iain Evans

South Australia Is The Worst Performer Again

Victor P Taffa

Another day, another set of statistics and another example of South Australia being the worst performing state in Australia.

The latest example is the ‘value of building work done’ which fell by 19 % in the September 2011 quarter. This is the worst performance of all states, and is in stark contrast to the national figure which actually increased.

ABS statistics released today also revealed that the value of building work done in South Australia fell by a staggering 22 % in the past 12 months.

Motor vehicle sales were also 7 % lower in December 2011 compared to 12 months ago – the second biggest drop in Australia.

Today’s ‘worst performance’ follows other recent poor economic news for South Australia:

• South Australian economy – shrunk by 1.6% in Sept quarter. Worst in the nation
• South Australian economy – only 0.1% growth in the year to Sept. Worst in the nation
• South Australian business investment – fell by 4.1% in Sept quarter. Worst in the nation
• South Australian export performance – fell by 5.7% in Sept quarter. Worst in the nation
• South Australian business confidence. Worst in the nation
• South Australia has suffered five consecutive quarters of decline in dwelling unit commencements.
• The number of new dwelling unit approvals fell by 21 % over the last 12 months, performing worse than the national average.
• South Australia was the only state to record a fall in private capital expenditure in the September 2011 quarter.
• South Australia is still the highest taxing state in Australia.

“Under Labor, South Australia is the highest taxing state in the nation creating an uncompetitive market and putting pressure on ordinary South Australians. Treasurer Snelling needs to explain why South Australia is performing so badly.” Shadow Treasurer Iain Evans said.

“South Australians are suffering under Labor’s high cost of living which leads to a lack of confidence to invest. This is having a negative impact on both the housing and motor vehicle industries.” Mr. Evans said.

South Australia Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade Steven Marshall

Labor Government Industry Assistance In Disarray

Victor P Taffa

Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade Steven Marshall has reaffirmed the State Liberal Opposition’s support for Holden and the entire manufacturing sector in South Australia.

“The Liberal Opposition wholeheartedly supports Holden, the automotive sector and the entire manufacturing sector in SA.” Mr. Marshall said.

“However, the real issue here is this Labor Government’s complete mismanagement of industry assistance programs.”

“The Liberal Opposition is committed to Government assistance which drives innovation, research and development which ultimately leads to building a competitive advantage for our strategic industries in South Australia.”

“We are against any State Government subsidy which is simply there to offset Labor’s toxic carbon tax.” Mr. Marshall said.

“Mr. Koutsantonis said today that he supports ‘a bi-partisan strategy’ to look at the long term viability of Holden, but at no point has he approached the Liberal Opposition to even start the conversation on this ‘strategy’.”

“Premier Weatherill has not provided any details to the Liberal Opposition about what he has negotiated with Holden. Without seeing the details of his proposal, we don’t know what the options are, what sort of money we’re talking about and even where we will get the money from.” Mr. Marshall said.

The Industry Development Committee has been established under the Parliament’s Economic and Finance Standing Committee. This sub-committee was put in place to provide bi-partisan advice to the Treasurer on industry assistance packages. This Committee has not met since 2006.

“If Mr. Koutsantonis was serious about supporting industries in South Australia, surely he would be using all the tools at his disposal, including the Industry Development Committee.” Mr. Marshall said.

“Mr. Koutsantonis should concentrate on developing long term strategies to boost industries in South Australia.”

“Unfortunately for Mr. Koutsantonis his relationship with cars has been controversial. South Australians won’t forget the more than 60 road and traffic offences he committed over a number of years, as exposed when he was the Road Safety Minister.” Mr. Marshall said.