State Member for Flinders Sam Telfer MP has expressed his disappointment at the 2024
state budget, saying it has failed to address opportunities and concerns of the Eyre
Peninsula, and hasn’t confronted the major challenges facing regional South Australia.
“No matter where you look, every page of the 2024 budget is another example of the state
Labor government ignoring the needs of the people of Flinders,” Mr Telfer said.
“The health budget has blown out by $627 million, yet there is no money for a boost to the
Patient Assistance Transport Scheme. The Opposition has long been calling on Peter
Malinauskas to introduce incentives to attract and retain healthcare workers, like what’s
on offer interstate. It doesn’t matter how much cash Labor throws at our health system,
the investment won’t make an impact if there isn’t the workforce to staff it.
“There’s only $6 million for regional road safety infrastructure across the entire state of
South Australia, while the government creates chaos on Liverpool Street – Port Lincoln, and
abandons the proposed Tod Highway widening at Edillilie.
“There is no additional funding for primary industries research at a time when the Premier
arrogantly dismisses concerns about the future of the aquaculture industry due to the Billy
Light’s Point desalination plant.
“There is a cut of $29 million to agricultural services (equal to 40% cut), and a $5 million
cut to regional development funding, while land tax has risen 48% since Labor came to
power, and the emergency services levy has also risen 17% in that time.”
Mr Telfer said the Labor government owed the people of Flinders an explanation for the
neglect shown in the budget.
“We see spending cuts, tax hikes, and record debt levels in this budget affecting the people
of Flinders, and the Premier and Treasurer need to explain why they continue to ignore a
region which is responsible for a quarter of South Australia’s total export market.”