New Government in South Australia offers a fresh start
Reform to an anti-competitive land tax regime and a new independent infrastructure body are on the cards, as the Marshall Government takes the reins in South Australia.
Daniel Gannon, the Property Council’s executive director in South Australia, says there is “no time to waste” as new premier Steven Marshall and his government “get on with the job”.
“The election result gives South Australia a new government after 16 years. The new Government articulated a clear reform agenda for the property sector and has been rewarded accordingly with a convincing victory,” he says.
“I hope it will give the same fillip to confidence that the election of a new Government in Western Australia did last year.
Gannon says the Property Council maintained sustained pressure on all political parties in the lead up to the state election, releasing Building a Resilient South Australia to frame the issues influencing the property sector.
“After years of advocacy we can now look forward to significant reform. For too long our state has been an ‘also ran’ rather than the economic powerhouse we could be.”
In the first 100 days, the Marshall Government promises to establish Infrastructure SA, work with the federal government to gain funding for major infrastructure projects, and investigate the GlobeLink airport and highway project east of Adelaide and a possible underground rail link in the CBD.
New state treasurer Rob Lucas is expected to issue instructions to cut the controversial Emergency Services Levy by $90 million from 1 July within the government’s first week in office. Marshall says this will grow the economy and “create more jobs”.
Cuts to payroll taxes are also on the cards. South Australia will deregulate shop trading hours and is set to follow other states with new laws to prevent councils from hiking rates well above inflation.
Gannon says the new government will boost industry and investment confidence, and points to the latest ANZ/Property Council confidence survey, published in January, which recorded deteriorating growth expectations and government performance.
“While our politicians have battled out this campaign over the past month, Victoria’s population has grown by more people than South Australia adds in the entire year,” Gannon says.
“Sustainably growing the state’s population is a key priority for the property sector, so we look forward to working with the new government to future proof South Australia.”