Further evidence is emerging of the widespread implications of the Rann Government’s looming budget crisis and its unprecedented decision to delay the budget by four months, Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today. “The latest evidence relates to tender processes and recruitment of staff for government departments and agencies,” Mr Lucas said. “Information provided to the…
DetailsPublic sector turmoil, including long delays in appointing key CEOs and wrong decisions in appointing some key CEOs, is helping to cause the budget crisis facing the Rann Government, Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today. “It is clear that the Rann Government’s incompetence in managing public sector appointment processes is now costing taxpayers dearly and…
DetailsIndependent forecaster the South Australian Centre for Economic Studies (SACES) is predicting job and economic growth in South Australia this coming year to be only about half of the national rate, Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today. SACES’ May 2006 Economic Briefing Report released yesterday has predicted job growth in 2006-07 of only 1.25% in…
Details‘When the heat’s on, Rann’s gone,’ according to Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas. Mr Lucas says Deputy Premier Foley has been left to ‘carry the can’ with media questioning when bad news inevitably emerges whenever Premier Rann disappears overseas. “The Rann Government continues to treat South Australians as fools by playing this game and it is…
DetailsMassive capital budget blowouts combined with massive unfunded election promises have the Rann Government’s budget spinning wildly out of control, Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today. This follows Mr Foley’s refusal to rule out delays in major transport and other infrastructure projects because of the cost blowouts. “The fact the state budget has been delayed…
DetailsA crackdown on offences against the elderly and vulnerable promised four years ago by the Rann Government has faltered because police haven’t been properly trained in how to implement the new law. Shadow Police Minister Rob Lucas said the gaffe highlighted the Rann Government’s preoccupation with law and order announcements rather than tangible attacks on…
DetailsTreasurer Kevin Foley misled Parliament yesterday with his claim that economic growth had never been higher in South Australia than under the Rann Government, Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today. Hansard records Mr Foley making the following claim: “Econom¬ic growth has never been higher in this state than under this Labor government.” 10 May 2006…
DetailsThe Federal Budget confirms an additional unexpected GST bonus of $219 million for South Australia over the next four years, Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today. “The Federal Budget figures show that the net gain to the state from the GST deal will be $1,123m over the four years from 2006-07 to 2009-10,” Mr Lucas…
DetailsPolice Minister Paul Holloway has been embarrassed in Parliament today when he was unable to explain clearly the Rann Government’s policy on directing the Police Commissioner where additional police resources are provided by taxpayers, according to Shadow Police Minister Rob Lucas. “Minister Holloway was unable to explain why it was acceptable for the Rann Government…
DetailsShadow Police Minister Rob Lucas said today that Premier Rann had to make time to meet with representatives of the Hindley Street traders to listen to their concerns about violence on Hindley Street. Traders this week again wrote to Premier Rann seeking an urgent appointment after receiving no response at all to their letter to…
DetailsAdjourned debate on motion for adoption. (Continued from 3 May. Page 78.) The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Leader of the Opposition): I was speaking yesterday afternoon and evening about the importance of the Legislative Council and the various groups that are working at the moment to either abolish or destroy the Legislative Council. In summary, I…
DetailsThe South Australia Police Department faces a budget cut of up to $20 million if Mr Foley’s proposed ‘savings’ of 3-4% are implemented, Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Police Minister Rob Lucas said today. Mr Lucas’s comments follow Police Minister Holloway’s refusal in Parliament today to guarantee no cuts to the Police Department budget. On 7…
DetailsThe Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Leader of the Opposition): I want to devote the majority of my contribution to the Address in Reply to the issue of the Legislative Council and what I believe will be a major part of political debate for the next four years. In my view, it is a critical period for…
DetailsShadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today that claims by Mr Rann about ‘legislative gridlock’ being caused by the Legislative Council were demonstrably false and designed to deceive South Australians into supporting Mr Rann’s plan to abolish or effectively destroy the Legislative Council. Rather than ‘gridlock’, the facts of the last four years are that, of…
DetailsShadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today that documents released under Freedom of Information legislation showed that Mr Rann had splurged more than $2 million on a taxpayer-funded pre-election advertising binge. These documents show that in just eight months before the election Mr Rann managed to spend $2.2 million of taxpayers’ money on nine separate advertising…
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