The Liberal Opposition today called for the Auditor-General to conduct an inquiry into the purchasing of printer cartridges by Labor Government departments and agencies. Shadow Finance Minister Rob Lucas said information provided to the Liberal Opposition indicated the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division of the Department of Premier and Cabinet had purchased more than 200…
Builders are already reporting union officials “flexing their muscles” on work sites anticipating Labor’s new work safety laws scheduled to commence on 1 January 2012. The Master Builders Association has reported that union officials are walking onto sites unannounced stating words to the effect of “we’re just getting you ready for 1 January when we…
The Liberal Party will move to delay the final vote on the Work, Health and Safety Bill and also move significant amendments to the bill. There is growing opposition to Labor’s proposed bill from industry and business organisations such as Business SA, Master Builders Association, Housing Industry Association, Motor Trade Association, Self Insurers of SA…
Assets of cash-strapped Adelaide Zoo would be at risk if the zoo defaulted on its loan to Westpac, evidence to the Budget and Finance Committee revealed today. Chief Executive of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Allan Holmes made the stunning revelation: Hon Rob Lucas MLC: “Given the advice you’ve given to this Committee…
Former leadership aspirant Kevin Foley has sent a warning to Premier-in-waiting Jay Weatherill, fuelling Labor’s disunity. “Mr Foley obviously has no confidence in Labor’s anointed Premier-in-waiting Jay Weatherill,” Shadow Finance Minister Rob Lucas said today. “If Mr Weatherill’s own colleagues have no trust in him, why should South Australians trust Mr Weatherill to govern the…
The Labor Government is considering options for increasing ticket prices for concerts to help pay for public transport services, evidence to the Budget and Finance Committee revealed today. The Big Day Out, other similar music festivals and concerts for artists such as AC/DC, Pink, Lady Gaga and Andre Rieu could all be affected. Transport Chief…
The Labor Government has secretly broken a key election promise by removing the $75 million Darlington interchange from the Southern Expressway duplication contract tender. The $445 million Southern Expressway project, including the $75 million interchange, was promised to southern suburbs residents just before the March 2010 election . The interchange was to provide an overpass…
Education Department executives have confirmed backlog maintenance in government schools was a massive $172 million as at the end of last month. Chief Executive Keith Bartley told the Legislative Council Budget and Finance Committee there had only been an improvement of about $18 million from the 2010 backlog maintenance figure of $190 million. “Education Minister…
In a stunning admission, Treasury has confirmed it couldn’t show Shared Services was delivering payroll services cheaper than previously. The Executive Director of Shared Services SA, Damian Bourke, told the Legislative Council Budget and Finance Committee this week: Hon Rob Lucas MLC: In relation to the payroll function, are either you or the Under Treasurer…
Evidence to the Budget and Finance Committee this week has confirmed the Department of Health and its budget are in total disarray. Under Treasurer Brett Rowse confirmed May budget figures showed the health budget had blown out by $88 million and the Labor Government had now appointed both Deloitte and Ernst and Young to help…