Growing anger over SA budget

Issue 

By Chris Spindler

ADELAIDE— The South Australian budget, brought down on August 25, has come under increasing criticism from unions, the community health sector, welfare organisations and political groups.

As a result of the cuts to education the South Australian Institute of Teachers has instituted work bans, including on after work meetings. The government came in for condemnation from meetings organised to defend women's health centres, a Trades Hall-sponsored meeting on the impacts on women of the budget, a post-budget briefing organised by the South Australian Council of Social Services and a 200-strong meeting of the Coalition for Better Health.

As detailed information about the budget becomes available, it reveals a massive shift from public spending to private subsidies. The state Liberal government has accelerated the process embarked upon by previous Labor governments.

While education and health suffer the most, many other areas of essential services have also been cut back. There are also particular target areas in health and education.

In the health sector, the casemix system is being introduced, meaning people will leave hospital quicker and sicker. At the same time there have been massive cutbacks to the community health sector, the area where follow-up treatment after hospital visits will be needed.

Equal opportunities has gone from $2.2 to $1.8 million, law reform policy from $4.8 to $2.9 million. Grants to farmers went from $25.2 to $13.1 million, and St Johns Ambulance suffered a $2 million cut.

The Economic Development Authority Areas received a 230% increase up to $101 million; $40 million of this is to subsidise the Multi-Function Polis. The rest has been earmarked for "direct competition with Jeff Kennett". The state government aims to compete with Victoria and other states for business investment by offering subsidies.

Anger has increased as the information about the budget cuts becomes clearer. A number of organisations and individuals have proposed a campaign launch to "Defend Community Services". The meeting will take place on September 28, 7pm, at the Box Factory, 59 Regent St (South), Adelaide. Phone (08) 231 6982 or 271 8928 for more information.

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