Households and businesses should brace for a ‘world of hip-pocket pain’ if Labor is elected, with huge hikes in taxes, charges, fees and levies inevitable to help pay for Mr Malinauskas’ $3 billion in unfunded reckless spending.
With just over a week until the election, an evasive and at times angry Mr Malinauskas still refuses to explain to South Australians exactly how they’ll be slugged to fund his unprecedented level of unfunded pre-election promises – despite repeated questioning of him by the media, including during today’s SA Press Club Leaders’ Debate.
Mr Malinauskas had the chance today and he failed the test.
During the hour-long debate, the ex-union boss was exposed for his significant lack of economic credentials and experience.
“Labor’s unprecedented level of spending in the lead up to an election is now the single biggest risk to our state’s economic recovery and to household and business budgets, especially at a time of great global uncertainty, including rising costs of fuel and, by extension, groceries and other supplies,” Treasurer Rob Lucas said.
“Time is running out for Mr Malinauskas to be up front with South Australians about the true horror of his reckless spending on their lives and livelihoods.
“SA families and businesses are not stupid – they know if you promise billions in extra spending and at the same time promise to keep budget surpluses, then the only possible result is they pay much more through either increased taxes, charges and levies or other decisions which increase costs to them.
“Whether it’s a return to the massive hikes to ESL, water and power bills South Australians endured under the former Labor government, or whether they’ll introduce new taxes, households and businesses are in for a world of hip-pocket pain under Labor.”