Small manufacturing businesses have missed out on $694,000 in funding because of bureaucratic delays in establishing a grants program. DMITRE executives confirmed to the Legislative Council Budget and Finance Committee on Monday that $694,000 of a budgeted $1 million in 2010/11 to assist local manufacturing businesses to improve their competitiveness was unspent that year. “Whilst…
DetailsA two year parliamentary inquiry by Labor, Liberal and Independent MPs has unanimously concluded WorkCover is the worst performing workers compensation scheme in Australia. The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Occupational Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation inquiry, which commenced in July 2010, tabled its final report in Parliament last week. Shadow Industrial Relations Minister Rob Lucas said…
DetailsHealth Minister John Hill has been embarrassed by SA Health Chief Executive David Swan’s revelation job cuts were actually much greater than indicated by Mr Hill. In evidence to the Budget and Finance Committee today, Mr Swan revealed budget cuts meant there would be 1,200 FTE job cuts this year, in addition to hundreds more…
DetailsShadow Minister for Finance Rob Lucas today accused Minister Snelling and WorkCover of suppressing information on the reasons for the sudden resignation of former WorkCover Chief Executive Officer Rob Thomson, and details of his termination payout “On 18 September WorkCover announced Mr Thomson had resigned immediately for ‘personal reasons’ after serving just over two years…
DetailsThe Hon. R.I. LUCAS (16:57): The Liberal Party supports the second reading of the bill. It seeks to extend the board’s power to vary the levy rate within prescribed parameters. The levy is defined in the act as a percentage of the total remuneration of employers and construction workers. Currently the levy rate can be…
DetailsThe Auditor-General’s Report has highlighted millions of dollars being wasted on unused phones and other wasteful telecommunications policies and practices. A consultant’s review of just four agencies revealed there were 2335 fixed voice services and 396 mobile services which were not used at all during the six month survey period. The Auditor-General’s report notes that…
DetailsThe Hon. R.I. LUCAS (16:39): At the outset, can I say on behalf of Liberal members in this chamber that I am sure all members in this chamber and all in the community are committed to worker safety. No member of parliament wants to see a family devastated in the way many families have been…
DetailsThe Hon. R.I. LUCAS (17:24): I thank honourable members for their indication of support for the motion. In concluding, I congratulate the members of SA Superannuants for the assiduous way in which they have pursued this issue over a long period of time. It is a good indication of democracy at work. They have worked…
DetailsSA Water Chief Executive John Ringham should be forced to give urgent evidence to a parliamentary inquiry on the decision to mothball the Lonsdale desalination plant. Shadow Finance Minister Rob Lucas said the Liberal Party will move a motion at next week’s meeting of the desalination plant Select Committee that Mr Ringham not only give…
DetailsBusiness SA’s shock decision to change its policy on Labor’s controversial work, health and safety (WHS) laws has thrown Labor’s plan into disarray, Shadow Industrial Relations Minister Rob Lucas said today. “Minister Wortley has been claiming for weeks now that business supported Labor’s WHS changes after Business SA indicated support provided certain key amendments were…
DetailsShadow Finance Minister Rob Lucas today called on Premier Weatherill to justify why taxpayers had paid for an overseas trip for a senior public servant whose position had been abolished and was about to take a separation package. Transport Chief Executive Rod Hook told the Legislative Council Budget and Finance Committee taxpayers had paid $23,316…
DetailsThe Hon. R.I. LUCAS (16:11): I rise on behalf of the Liberal Party to support the second reading of the Statutes Amendment and Repeal (Superannuation) Bill 2012. As the member for Davenport outlined at some length in another place, the bill covers a range of issues. I do not propose to go into all the…
DetailsShadow Finance Minister Rob Lucas today accused the Weatherill Labor Government of a massive ‘cover up’ as most Ministers refuse to answer questions about the number of highly-paid public service positions that had been created and abolished. “In fact, 10 of 15 ministers have not provided answers to questions for 2010-11 and 7 of 15…
DetailsAn inquiry into the Royal Adelaide Hospital project by the Legislative Council Budget and Finance Committee has been confirmed for next month. Shadow Finance Minister Rob Lucas said representatives of the private sector project team and Health Department bureaucrats will be required to attend the hearing on October 8. “This committee inquiry has been necessitated…
DetailsMassive WorkCover levy increases on aged care providers in South Australia are a disgrace, according to Shadow Finance Minister Rob Lucas. Mr Lucas said the Liberal Party was deeply concerned by the feedback it had received from aged care providers right across the state, including: • LHI Retirement Services, located at Glynde, which advised their…
Details