SA budget outstanding for business

The June 5 South Australian Labor government budget has been praised as "outstanding" by business groups and the corporate media. The budget reduces business taxes and funds extensive infrastructure development.

Community groups have welcomed the allocation of $2 billion for public transport, while noting that it will merely allow, in 10 years' time, the meeting of current needs. Tram services will be restored to their level in 1958.

The budget provides little for education, and teachers are planning further industrial action for July 17. Australian Education Union president Corenna Haythorpe said that the budget fails to address escalating class sizes in public schools and members have not ruled out further industrial action based on the state government's failure to consider their recommendations in the current enterprise agreement dispute.

A further 1000 public servants are expected to lose their jobs to fund the pro-business package. According AAP on June 5, Public Service Association general secretary Jan McMahon said: "It's all well and good to talk about launching a massive infrastructure program, but we are now facing an enormous skills crisis ... for the community to receive a full range of services, the government must employ and retain skilled staff."

SA Unions secretary Janet Giles said of the budget that the government has "sacrificed social responsibility on the altar of business profit ... working families who voted Labor are being let down", according to the article.

The budget also largely ignored the growing water crisis and climate change threats in the state, and cut funding for the Department of Environment and Heritage by $18 million.

In the shadow of the budget, the Labor government, with Liberal support, gagged debate and forced through parliament new WorkCover legislation that slashes injured workers' benefits. SA Greens MLC Mark Parnell told parliament at the time: "This is a sad day for South Australia ... this is the worst piece of legislation I have seen in my time here."

From GLW issue 754