With broken promises, job losses and tax increases, households will be hit hard in Hammond – that’s the message from the 2014 State Budget according to Liberal Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick.

“This is a budget of broken promises, increasing costs, high taxes and no jobs,” said Mr Pederick.

“No one has been spared from Treasurer Koutsantonis’ knife.

“The Treasurer has cut, cut, cut and has walked away from families, small business, primary producers, the unemployed, the sick and motorists.”

The 2014 State Budget also confirms that Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock has delivered a dud deal for rural and regional communities in South Australia

“Minister Brock has failed his first test in delivering for regional South Australia,” said Mr Pederick.

“Regional SA is already doing it tough, but Treasurer Koutsantonis and Minister Brock have provided no money for regional roads, reduced R&D and biosecurity, and cut jobs.

“Under Minister Brock’s watch, the regional unemployment rate has risen from 6.1 per cent to 8.0 per cent – the worst jobless rate of all regions in the nation.

“South Australia’s regions have been neglected for 12 years and now regional communities have to deal with this horror budget.”

Locally, Treasurer Koutsantonis has re-announced funding for the replacement of River Murray ferries and confirmed $7.5 million for the Tailem Bend Motorsport Park.

Unfortunately, the Murray Bridge Racing Club Gifford Hill development has again been overlooked by the Weatherill Labor Government.

“I will continue to fight for funding for the Murray Bridge Racing Club,” said Mr Pederick.

“This project will underpin the future of Murray Bridge and will create jobs and grow economic development.

Primary Production

• Primary producers can expect less support than ever, with the smallest operating budget for agriculture, food and fisheries in 12 years and a further 40 jobs to go in PIRSA in 2014/15.
• SARDI has had $3 million cut and 90 job losses from 2012-13 to 2014-15.
• Biosecurity has been cut by $5 million in this year’s Budget along with 13 jobs.
• $1 million per year has been cut from NRM Boards.

Health

•  The $100 million Flinders Medical Centre broken promise will impact sick people living in Goolwa and on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Households

• The average household faces a $150-per year Emergency Services Levy increase.
• Council rate concessions will be cut from 1st July 2015.
• Increased $19.5 million dividend from SA Water will not be passed on to consumers and water rates will rise.
• Cost of living increases continue to put enormous pressure on families and pensioners.

Motorists

• Vehicle registration will rise by between 10% and 15%.
• Speeding fines and driver’s licence renewals will rise.
• The city car park tax will hit regional commuters visiting Adelaide.

Roads

• No new money for regional roads in South Australia, increasing the fear of speed limit reductions.

Business

• SA remains the highest taxed state in the nation.

Jobs

• Labor Government’s promise of 100,000 new jobs by 2016 will be broken.
• Since last year’s budget SA has lost almost 20,000 jobs. 4,000 lost in regional SA in May 2014.