Hardworking South Australian families and households are on average $660 a year better off under the Marshall Liberal Government.
The huge hip-pocket savings follow massive reductions in water bills (an average $200 a year saving from July 1), cheaper ESL bills ($163.60), reduced car rego costs through lower CTP Insurance premiums ($200) and a doubling of sports vouchers for primary school-aged children's swimming and other sports lessons (from $50 to $100).
For a typical Adelaide household with two children and two cars, this equates to $663.60 in annual budget relief.
"We are delivering significant cost-of-living relief for families that will continue to ease the squeeze on household budgets right across the state," said Treasurer Rob Lucas.
"After enduring massive hikes under Labor, hardworking families and local businesses finally have a government that backs them and keeps their promises on lower costs."
Incredibly, instead of apologising on behalf of the former Labor government which deliberately gouged South Australians for years every time they turned on the tap, Mr Mullighan attempted to blame his former boss, stumbling through a media conference yesterday telling reporters:
"I, I should be able to find the contact details for, for Jay Weatherill and the decision that he made in 2012 and you'd be, you'd be free to take it up with him," Mr Mullighan said.
The only problem is, Mr Mullighan was then Premier Weatherill's deputy Chief of Staff at the time the decision was taken.
In fact, it was Mr Mullighan, who – according to evidence given to a 2014 Parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee by the former CEO of the independent regulator ESCOSA, Dr Paul Kerin - had sought last-minute advice on government revenue outcomes of increasing the RAB.
Dr Kerin told the Committee: "I got a call from Stephen Mullighan, the Premier's Deputy Chief of Staff, asking me, 'Can you consider a few alternative scenarios?' I said, 'Well, Commission papers have already gone out. What are they?' He said, 'Can you tell us what the revenue caps would be if the RAB is increased by 5 per cent, 10 per cent and 15 per cent?'
Mr Lucas said: "Mr Mullighan's grubby fingerprints are all over this decision and he – and Mr Malinauskas - can try and muddy the waters and pass the buck as much as they like, but they underestimate the intelligence of the South Australian public who have very long memories."
"And contrary to ridiculous Labor claims that land tax is going up by $250 million, it is actually being reduced by $200 million over the next three years."
