After 12 long years, Premier Weatherill and Labor think they can trick South Australians into believing they have a plan for cost of living increases.
Under Labor since 2002:
• Water bills have increased by 227 per cent;
• Electricity bills have increased by 140 per cent;
• Gas bills have increased by 136 per cent;
• State taxes have increased by 92 per cent; and,
• Property charges have increased by 87 per cent.
During the same period, inflation has only been 39 per cent.
“Mr Weatherill has been a Cabinet Minister for every year of this 12 year old Labor Government – the same Labor Government that has presided over massive cost of living increases for South Australians,” said Liberal Spokesman Rob Lucas.
“Jay Weatherill’s last minute panic response is nowhere near as comprehensive as the package promised by Steven Marshall and the State Liberals.”
Over the weekend, State Liberal Leader Steven Marshall announced that, if elected, a Marshall Liberal Government will further ease cost of living pressures for South Australians by abolishing the Save the River Murray Levy and increasing payments for energy and water concessions.
The State Liberals’ plan to abolish the Save the River Murray Levy will save 570,000 households $42 per year on their water bills, beginning in 2016-17.
A Marshall Liberal Government will also increase payments to around 200,000 energy and water concession recipients by 6 per cent by 2016-17.
“The State Liberals have already announced a number of policies to ease cost of living pressures, including capping council rates, scrapping the car park tax and guaranteeing no toll roads and no new taxes or levies,” said Mr Lucas.
“South Australia’s cost of living is increasing as a direct result of 12 long years of Mr Weatherill and Labor.
“That’s why the State Liberals have a strong plan to ease cost of living pressures and provide real relief for South Australian households.
“Only a Marshall Liberal Government will have better priorities to put our State back on track.”