[Greens-Media] Greens slam not-so-sustainable Budget

[Franks, Office]

Greens slam not-so-sustainable Budget


In Parliament today Greens MLC Tammy Franks pointed to areas where the Government could make significant Budget savings, rather than cuts to social capital.
Responding to the Appropriation Bill, Ms Franks said: "The Government's so-called 'Sustainable Budget Commission' is in reality nothing more than a razor gang tasked with making deep cuts to services and jobs.
"We propose some alternative cuts that will protect the public sector and country hospitals.
"Instead of cutting vital services, the Government could reduce the Ministerial office's $3.7 million annual budget and introduce sensible cost-saving measures like a vehicle logbook for Ministerial chauffeurs, which would save an estimated $1.2 million a year.
"This State Government needs to get its priorities sorted when we can't fund a $140,000 accident and emergency services facility at Ardrossan, but more than $500,000 each year is spent on a Clipsal 500 state dinner and a 'South Australia suite' for VIP guests at the Clipsal.
 "They could also reduce the spin-doctoring coming out of the Premier's Office.
"If he's doing so well, his work should speak for itself, rather than SA taxpayers paying for his spin when a modest 30 per cent reduction in staff by 2013 would result in a saving of $1, 991,000.
"This arrogant Government would have us believe that alternative cuts cannot be made.
"They would have us believe that they had to make these decisions, when alternative cuts like cancelling the $812 million 'Superway' dubbed the ' Superwaste' or 'Road to Nowhere' - which will cost more than $290 million per kilometre - are much more sensible solutions."
"The Sustainable Budget Commission should focus on increasing the sustainability of Government programs and services without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
"The Greens will continue to oppose cuts to funding for country hospitals as well as public service cuts that will slash 3,750 jobs and cut leave loading and long service leave entitlements."

For comment call Lauren Zwaans on 0457 549 938 or 8237 9410


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