The State Liberal Party has today unveiled its vision for the future of South Australia in its formal response to the State Budget.
It is a vision of a South Australia where everyone who works hard can own a home, raise a family, and live in a community that reflects their values.
In a speech to Parliament today, Leader of the Opposition, Vincent Tarzia said there is a clear choice for South Australians when they head to the polls next March.
“A Tarzia Liberal Government will rebuild the South Australian dream, brick by brick,” Mr Tarzia said.
“Under Labor we’ve seen electricity prices skyrocket, hospital ramping reach record levels and Adelaide’s house prices become the sixth least affordable in the world.
“At the same time, our state debt is on track to double, and will hit almost $48 billion by 2028/29. Simply put, South Australia cannot afford to continue down this path.”
Under a Tarzia Liberal Government, a first home buyer purchasing an existing home up to $1 million will not pay a cent of stamp duty. A Tarzia Liberal Government will also waive a $192 mortgage registration fee for first home buyers - saving them the cost of their first grocery shop when moving in.
A Tarzia Liberal Government will fund a GP After-hours Increased Access Trial, to support GP clinics provide afterhours care to South Australians.
A Liberal Government will also commit to delivering a debt management plan, so that South Australians can have confidence that state debt remains at a sustainable level, and that their money is managed wisely.
“A Liberal Government under my leadership will be laser focused on reducing wasteful Government spending, cutting red tape and delivering affordable, reliable energy,” Mr Tarzia said.
“We will also ensure we are a Government for all South Australians and deliver the coordinated, practical support our regional and rural communities deserve.
“We will provide real cost-of-living relief and put more money back in the pockets of hardworking South Australians, stopping the Labor habit of piling costs onto households.”
Mr Tarzia also outlined just some of the suite of policies that will be put to the people of South Australia at the next State Election.
Housing:
- Stamp duty relief for first home buyers purchasing an existing home, up to a property value of $1 million.
- Waive the mortgage registration fee for all first home buyers.
- We’ll fast-track apprenticeship courses in critical industries such as construction, hospitality, and defence - responding to industry calls for skilled workers.
- Exempt apprentices and trainees from payroll tax.
Cost of Living:
- Introduce a Driver Incentive Policy, waiving the $71 licence renewal fee for young provisional drivers who go three years without an offence
- Introduce a Baby Seat Installation Rebate.
- Abolish Labor’s $85 SA Water levy.
- Introduce a Home Solar Battery scheme, to save households thousands in up-front costs and push down peak demand, helping drive down prices for everyone.
Health:
- Fund a GP After-hours Increased Access Trial, to support GP clinics provide afterhours care to South Australians including until 8pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Sundays.
- Reverse the GP payroll tax grab.
Business:
- Lift the payroll tax threshold from $1.5 million to $2.1 million.
- Tax reform to support small businesses.
- Fix outdated shop trading hour restrictions.
Urban Planning and Environment:
- Introduce a single Heritage Act under one Heritage Minister.
- Re-establish and expand the Heritage Conservation Grants program.
- Tighten demolition controls to save heritage homes.
- Reinstate the Greener Neighbourhoods grant scheme.
- Pursue World Heritage Listing for the Adelaide Park Lands.
Regional Areas:
- Create a drought hardship registry to fast-track relief such as rebates, water carting subsidies, and low or no-interest loans for fodder and fertiliser.
- Extend more accessible public transport to Mount Gambier and regional areas.
