[Greens-Media] PARNELL: Greens initial response to SA Budget 2013

[Parnell]

Greens' SA Budget Response:

Temporary Budget under Spectre of Federal Cuts

SA Budget uncertainty under spectre of Federal Cuts

"Premier Weatherill's State Budget seems almost temporary under the spectre of huge cuts under a Federal Abbott Liberal Government," says Greens MLC, Mark Parnell.
"I have serious concerns that many of the positive initiatives announced in today's State Budget for reductions in Payroll Tax, increased funding for Social Housing, funding for the APY lands and Road Safety will not survive adjustments needed after the Federal Election in September.
"There will clearly be a need for a mini-budget later in the year after the Federal Election and before the next State Election in March 2014.
"Once the implications of the Federal Election are fully known the story for South Australians may be very different.  We live under a shadow of funding uncertainty at the moment and that is not good for anyone.
"This budget can't be relied on to stick.  The Premier will be back again with a mini-budget later in the year."

Slash and Burn for the Environment

Greens Leader Mark Parnell was appalled that the environment has again become the punching bag in this year's state budget.
"Disproportionate cuts to the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) - with 288 jobs to be slashed - will seriously compromise the DEWNR's ability to adequately resource the programs that look after the state's environment. With climate change not mentioned in the treasurer's speech and the environment only receiving a brief reference in relation to EPA funding, the environment has been the biggest loser.
"With Marine Parks the highlight of the Government's PR offensive over the last year, the failure to allocate specific funding for buyout of displaced effort is disappointing.
"Funding commitments to Naturelinks, the foundation of the state's landscape scale conservation strategy, is also conspicuous by its absence.
 "The continual erosion of funding for the environment puts our clean and green future at risk," he concluded


Cyclists and Pedestrians left stranded by new Britannia Roundabouts

Greens Parliamentary leader, Mark Parnell MLC, says the two roundabouts design for the Britannia corner contain no real provision for cyclists and pedestrians to safely negotiate this high traffic area.
"Intersections are the most dangerous parts of the road for cyclists and pedestrians, and I can't understand why the engineers who have designed this innovative solution haven't made adequate provisions in the design presented for cyclists and pedestrians," said Greens MP Mark Parnell.
"In fact, the Government has admitted that it isn't including cycling infrastructure because it couldn't find the space to do so.
"The key question for the Government to answer is: How does the Government hope to achieve its Strategic Plan target to double the number of people cycling by 2020 if it doesn't take the opportunity to incorporate cycling facilities when major road junctions are upgraded?"

Still no proper plan for Transport

"What is lacking in this budget is a big picture vision for our transport future and that of our children," said Greens Parliamentary Leader, Mark Parnell.
"The lack of a holistic transport plan means that ad hoc projects to repair sections of major arterials like South Rd are taking place in isolation.
"The Greens believe prior to expending nearly $1 billion, an integrated strategy is essential.
"Electrifying the trains to Dry Creek is to avoid having to tow the new Seaford trains up to the depot for servicing.  Where is the firm date for electrifying to Gawler?  It's been put off yet again.  If there is a plan, the Government should reveal it, and let the community have its say
"The $894 million South Rd upgrade (50% Federal funding) fails to tackle the root cause of traffic congestion: a lack of frequent and accessible public transport".

Government can't be trusted on fast track housing approvals

Tucked away in the budget announcements of funding for social housing and the extension of the home buyers grant is a proposal for a new Coordinator General who will fast-track 16 proposed housing developments.
"Does fast track mean compromise on quality and community consultation?" asks Greens Parliamentary Leader, Mark Parnell.
"This Government has a poor record when it comes to fast tracking planning approvals.  The Government must take all possible measures to ensure any proposed housing projects are not cheap and nasty, are sustainable environmentally and that affected communities are engaged in a respectful and meaningful way.
"It should be a cornerstone of our democracy that communities always have access to information, the right of public participation and the right to review poor decisions."

Government Supports Greens-backed Initiative on Consumer Credit

Following lobbying by the SA Greens, the Government has allocated $1.6 million in funding in this year's State Budget for a consumer credit legal service.
"As the last State to institute a consumer credit legal service, this is long overdue," said Greens' Consumer Affairs spokesperson, Tammy Franks MLC.
"With increasing financial pressures on families, this will have a positive impact across the community."

Country Health service cuts counterproductive

The State Government's announcement that it will cut the "Do it for Life" program is counterproductive and is bad news for primary and preventative health care in regional South Australia.
"I call on the Minister to restore this program and increase funding for regionally-based preventative health services overall" said Greens' spokesperson for Health, Tammy Franks MLC.
"Replacing this valuable face to face referral based service with a metropolitan based phone service just doesn't make the grade.  In fact, we should be increasing the funding and ensuring more is done to support healthy families in our community.
"We should not be cutting preventative health programs, which are so vital in regional communities.
Not only is this bad for the affected consumers, it hurts us all in the hip pocket because prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure."

Spending in APY Lands must include local employment

"While we support the much-needed infrastructure commitment for the APY Lands, we urge the Government to ensure that Anangu will be employed as part of any major works" said the Greens' Spokesperson on Indigenous Affairs, Tammy Franks MLC.
"Further,  whilst the Government has committed to $32 million in funding over three years to continue Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes, a sustained commitment to addressing food security in the APY lands is yet to be delivered," she said.

Training for "green" jobs needed

The Greens say investment in skills training is needed.
"We need training and re-training of workers for the emerging green jobs of the future in renewable energy technology, in clean and green food production and in bio-tech.  Our approach to manufacturing and industry must be competitive, sustainable and innovative," said Greens' employment, training and further education spokesperson, Tammy Franks MLC.
 "The Government's investment in skills training is worthwhile, however the picture is incomplete until they sign up to the Gonski reforms."
To arrange comment contact Mark Parnell on (08) 8237 9111


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Mark Parnell, Member of the Legislative Council, parnell at parliament.sa.gov.au
Parliament House, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000    Ph. 08 8237 9111
www.markparnell.org.au



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