The striking feature of Mr Foley’s budget this year is that they are drowning in a sea of cash, yet there is no tax relief provided to long suffering families and first home purchasers, Mr Lucas said. “This year they have almost $4 billion a year more to spend than the former Liberal Government had…
DetailsThe Hon. R.I. LUCAS: I rise to speak about the Rann government’s arrogance and that of its ministers and employees in relation to their dealings with other members, the community and members of the media. In June last year, long term and respected commentator Greg Kelton said that in his view the government was vying…
DetailsLiberal Member of the Legislative Council Rob Lucas claimed today Mr Rann received legal advice that public statements he had made about a referendum on his promise to abolish the Legislative Council were wrong. Since November 2005, Mr Rann has been promising to conduct a ‘pick-a-box’ type referendum on the future of the Legislative Council…
DetailsLiberal Member of the Legislative Council Rob Lucas has today criticised Premier Rann’s priorities because he is cutting public service jobs everywhere, but not in Ministers’ personal offices. Mr Rann is wasting about $25 million over four years on an explosion in the number of ‘Spin Doctors’ and other Ministerial staff employed in Ministerial offices.…
DetailsLiberal Member of the Legislative Council Rob Lucas has today called for major reform to the current process for the appointment of the Auditor General. The position of the Auditor General is absolutely critical for ensuring public accountability of Government expenditure and decision making. It is therefore obviously vital that all Members of Parliament have…
DetailsLiberal MLC Rob Lucas said today he would be asking the Statutory Authorities Review Committee (SARC) to recall key Land Management Corporation (LMC) executives to give further evidence to respond to allegations there was a major error in the Newport Quays Redevelopment contract which threatened the vicinity of commercial fishing businesses at Port Adelaide. Mr…
DetailsLiberal MLC Rob Lucas today released a detailed analysis of companies, individuals and unions who gave a record $4.9 million to Mr. Rann’s Labor Party in the 2005/2006 election year. Whilst the biggest listed donor was the mysterious ALP Holdings Pty Ltd, at $1.6 million, the biggest companies, individuals and unions are as follows: Donor…
DetailsThe Hon. R.I. LUCAS: The major issue that I want to address in the Address in Reply debate is the whole issue of the Legislative Council and its future, given the announced policy position of the Rann Labor government in relation to the abolition of the Legislative Council. I addressed this issue in May last…
DetailsThe Hon. R.I. LUCAS: I move: That this council notes the recent Australian Electoral Commis¬sion disclosure returns and other related matters. This is a simple motion which asks that the council note the recent Australian Electoral Commission disclosure returns and other related matters, and I can advise that I shall speak today and seek leave…
DetailsDocuments released under Freedom of Information legislation have confirmed that $2 million spent by Premier Rann on government advertising had been designed solely to help win the last election and had nothing to do with raising public awareness. Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today these FOI documents show that whilst Mr. Rann spent about $2…
Details“As a loyal Liberal, I accept completely that in the Liberal Party it is the right of the Leader alone to select his team,” Mr. Lucas said. “Whilst there have been indications of sufficient support from my Legislative Council colleagues for me to continue as Leader of the Legislative Council, I have decided that I…
DetailsTreasurer Foley has lost control of the State Budget and has obviously given up trying to stop Ministers from going on a spending spree just prior to the end of every year. Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today that budget figures just released show that some Rann Government Ministers actually spent up to 83 per…
DetailsA planned crackdown on drug abuse in Hindley Street and other entertainment precincts has been hindered by the inaction of Police Minister Holloway. Shadow Police Minister Rob Lucas said that Minister Holloway had confirmed that he would not be introducing a critical new drug law into Parliament until later this year. The drug law is…
DetailsShadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today that thousands of struggling home buyers would be outraged at the ‘out of touch’ comments on housing affordability made by Treasurer Kevin Foley. “I don’t agree with the argument that stamp duty is affecting housing affordability.” K. Foley, The Australian (March 20, 2007) “Mr. Foley is living in ‘cloud…
DetailsShadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today that incredible arrogance by Premier Rann and his Ministers had forced a major policy shift by the Liberal Party to increase the accountability of the Rann Government to the Parliament. Consistent with the practice in most other Upper Houses, some key Legislative Council Committees will no longer be chaired…
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