Latest news with #Mullighan
9 News
5 days ago
- Politics
- 9 News
South Australian government's record crime and justice spend in state budget
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here BREAKING Man and woman charged with murder of missing teen Pheobe Bishop The South Australian government has unveiled its latest state budget, with a significant emphasis on law enforcement and justice initiatives in the lead-up to the March election. While the government has acknowledged cost-of-living pressures, the budget's focus on bolstering the police force has drawn both support and criticism. A central feature of the budget is a $172 million commitment to increase the number of sworn police officers by 326, aiming to bring the total force to 5000 by 2030-31. Alongside the focus on crime and justice, the budget includes some help for families with school-aged children. (Nine) "[This aims] to make sure that South Australia doesn't get into the same sorts of trouble we see in other places around the country," Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said. More than $45 million has been allocated to enhance road safety measures, including the deployment of more mobile phone detection cameras. Alongside the focus on crime and justice, the budget includes some help for families with school-aged children. The $200 school materials charge discount and the sports voucher program will continue, while the cost of the 28-day student metroCARD will be reduced from $28 to $10, potentially saving families $242 per year. When questioned about whether there's enough relief for South Australians still doing it tough, Mullighan said "last year's budget included a really significant cost of living package aimed specifically at low income earners and it wasn't once-off relief". While the government has acknowledged cost-of-living pressures, the budget's focus on bolstering the police force has drawn both support and criticism. (Nine) However, Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia criticised the government for a lack of help for struggling households. "Cost of living is the number one issue and there was a great opportunity for the premier and his government to deliver on that front," he said. The budget also allocates $70 million for drought relief and $384 million for the Whyalla Steelworks, anticipating an extended sale process - the funds contingent on Commonwealth support. While the budget is currently in surplus, debt levels are projected to rise, reaching almost $49 billion by 2028-2029. "Running budget surpluses while we are investing in the future ... taking on additional debt to fund those infrastructure developments gives us the confidence we can afford to service that debt," Mullighan said. This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress . 9ExPress South Australia Adelaide Politics CONTACT US Auto news:Is this the next Subaru WRX? Mysterious performance car teased.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Voters forgo sugar-hit as law and order tops budget
A $395 million "law and order" package to fund hundreds of extra police officers headlines a state budget forced to absorb the impact of a troubled steelworks and an escalating drought. Delivering his fourth state budget on Thursday, South Australian Treasurer Stephen Mullighan had little to offer in the way of sweeteners before the state election in March. The state is already committed to big-ticket road and hospital projects and has had to prop up the Whyalla steelworks and respond to a drought crisis. Framing his budget as strategic investment balanced with fiscal discipline, Mr Mullighan said it provided the biggest boost to police funding in the state's history. The law and order package includes $172 million across six years to recruit 326 officers, lifting numbers to 5000 by 2030/31. More police security officers, civilianisation of administrative roles, and recruiting will deliver 630 extra police officers in frontline roles by 2031. "We are providing SA police the funding for more personnel, better facilities and new equipment, so they are better resourced," he said. But Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said the government was not able to fill police vacancies, let alone recruit hundreds more. The budget showed Labor was "out of money and out of ideas", he said. "The budget has no new plan to solve the housing crisis, no plan to bring down power bills and no plan to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis," he said. Mr Mullighan said there were no new or increased taxes and "our economy has gone from laggard to leader" since being elected in 2022. "We have the lowest unemployment rate in the state's history, we are ranked the best place in the nation to do business, we have the best-performing housing market and are the lowest taxing state on the mainland," he said. The mid-year budget review in December had predicted a surplus of $201 million, but this has shrunk to $18 million because of the Whyalla package and drought funding. The budget allocates $650 million towards the $2.4 billion Whyalla "sovereign steel" package announced jointly with the federal government, as the administrator stabilises the steelworks and prepares it for sale. In February, the state government took dramatic action in Whyalla, rushing through legislation so it could place the city's steelworks into the hands of administrators KordaMentha because of the mounting debts of OneSteel's owners, GFG Alliance. "South Australians will not be taken for fools by fast-talking businessmen that continually break their promises to our state," Mr Mullighan said, referencing GFG chairman, UK billionaire Sanjeev Gupta. The $73 million for drought relief had already been announced and there was no new money to relieve the escalating impact of record and near-record low rainfall across most of SA's farming regions in recent years. The economy was predicted to grow by 1.25 per cent in 2024/25, rising to 1.75 in 2025/26 and 2.0 per cent in 2026/27. The state's AA+ credit rating remains stable and SA had the best credit outlook of all states except Western Australia. "This is what gives us the confidence to borrow, to invest in the infrastructure that's going to benefit future generations," Mr Mullighan said. Debt will increase to fund projects such as the new Women's and Children's Hospital and the north-south corridor's South Rd tunnel and net debt will grow over the forward estimates to $48.5 billion by 2028/29. Mr Tarzia described that figure as a "debt iceberg" that would cost almost $7 million a day in interest. But Mr Mullighan said the government would have more capacity to tackle debt once infrastructure projects were built. Premier Peter Malinauskas said the government was absorbing the cost of drought relief and the steelworks bailout while delivering record investments in infrastructure, health and housing. Shadow treasurer Sam Telfer said that was "quite frankly insulting when government departments have blown their budgets by a combined $1.6 billion". SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S BUDGET 2025/26: * Surplus: $179 million * Revenue: $31.369 billion * Expenditure: $31.190 billion * Net debt: $35.539 billion * GST revenue: $9.529 billion * Unemployment rate: 3.9 per cent (current) * Five biggest spending areas: health ($9.91 billion), education ($4.622 billion), infrastructure and transport ($1.965 billion), police ($1.269 billion), child protection ($877 million). A $395 million "law and order" package to fund hundreds of extra police officers headlines a state budget forced to absorb the impact of a troubled steelworks and an escalating drought. Delivering his fourth state budget on Thursday, South Australian Treasurer Stephen Mullighan had little to offer in the way of sweeteners before the state election in March. The state is already committed to big-ticket road and hospital projects and has had to prop up the Whyalla steelworks and respond to a drought crisis. Framing his budget as strategic investment balanced with fiscal discipline, Mr Mullighan said it provided the biggest boost to police funding in the state's history. The law and order package includes $172 million across six years to recruit 326 officers, lifting numbers to 5000 by 2030/31. More police security officers, civilianisation of administrative roles, and recruiting will deliver 630 extra police officers in frontline roles by 2031. "We are providing SA police the funding for more personnel, better facilities and new equipment, so they are better resourced," he said. But Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said the government was not able to fill police vacancies, let alone recruit hundreds more. The budget showed Labor was "out of money and out of ideas", he said. "The budget has no new plan to solve the housing crisis, no plan to bring down power bills and no plan to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis," he said. Mr Mullighan said there were no new or increased taxes and "our economy has gone from laggard to leader" since being elected in 2022. "We have the lowest unemployment rate in the state's history, we are ranked the best place in the nation to do business, we have the best-performing housing market and are the lowest taxing state on the mainland," he said. The mid-year budget review in December had predicted a surplus of $201 million, but this has shrunk to $18 million because of the Whyalla package and drought funding. The budget allocates $650 million towards the $2.4 billion Whyalla "sovereign steel" package announced jointly with the federal government, as the administrator stabilises the steelworks and prepares it for sale. In February, the state government took dramatic action in Whyalla, rushing through legislation so it could place the city's steelworks into the hands of administrators KordaMentha because of the mounting debts of OneSteel's owners, GFG Alliance. "South Australians will not be taken for fools by fast-talking businessmen that continually break their promises to our state," Mr Mullighan said, referencing GFG chairman, UK billionaire Sanjeev Gupta. The $73 million for drought relief had already been announced and there was no new money to relieve the escalating impact of record and near-record low rainfall across most of SA's farming regions in recent years. The economy was predicted to grow by 1.25 per cent in 2024/25, rising to 1.75 in 2025/26 and 2.0 per cent in 2026/27. The state's AA+ credit rating remains stable and SA had the best credit outlook of all states except Western Australia. "This is what gives us the confidence to borrow, to invest in the infrastructure that's going to benefit future generations," Mr Mullighan said. Debt will increase to fund projects such as the new Women's and Children's Hospital and the north-south corridor's South Rd tunnel and net debt will grow over the forward estimates to $48.5 billion by 2028/29. Mr Tarzia described that figure as a "debt iceberg" that would cost almost $7 million a day in interest. But Mr Mullighan said the government would have more capacity to tackle debt once infrastructure projects were built. Premier Peter Malinauskas said the government was absorbing the cost of drought relief and the steelworks bailout while delivering record investments in infrastructure, health and housing. Shadow treasurer Sam Telfer said that was "quite frankly insulting when government departments have blown their budgets by a combined $1.6 billion". SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S BUDGET 2025/26: * Surplus: $179 million * Revenue: $31.369 billion * Expenditure: $31.190 billion * Net debt: $35.539 billion * GST revenue: $9.529 billion * Unemployment rate: 3.9 per cent (current) * Five biggest spending areas: health ($9.91 billion), education ($4.622 billion), infrastructure and transport ($1.965 billion), police ($1.269 billion), child protection ($877 million). A $395 million "law and order" package to fund hundreds of extra police officers headlines a state budget forced to absorb the impact of a troubled steelworks and an escalating drought. Delivering his fourth state budget on Thursday, South Australian Treasurer Stephen Mullighan had little to offer in the way of sweeteners before the state election in March. The state is already committed to big-ticket road and hospital projects and has had to prop up the Whyalla steelworks and respond to a drought crisis. Framing his budget as strategic investment balanced with fiscal discipline, Mr Mullighan said it provided the biggest boost to police funding in the state's history. The law and order package includes $172 million across six years to recruit 326 officers, lifting numbers to 5000 by 2030/31. More police security officers, civilianisation of administrative roles, and recruiting will deliver 630 extra police officers in frontline roles by 2031. "We are providing SA police the funding for more personnel, better facilities and new equipment, so they are better resourced," he said. But Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said the government was not able to fill police vacancies, let alone recruit hundreds more. The budget showed Labor was "out of money and out of ideas", he said. "The budget has no new plan to solve the housing crisis, no plan to bring down power bills and no plan to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis," he said. Mr Mullighan said there were no new or increased taxes and "our economy has gone from laggard to leader" since being elected in 2022. "We have the lowest unemployment rate in the state's history, we are ranked the best place in the nation to do business, we have the best-performing housing market and are the lowest taxing state on the mainland," he said. The mid-year budget review in December had predicted a surplus of $201 million, but this has shrunk to $18 million because of the Whyalla package and drought funding. The budget allocates $650 million towards the $2.4 billion Whyalla "sovereign steel" package announced jointly with the federal government, as the administrator stabilises the steelworks and prepares it for sale. In February, the state government took dramatic action in Whyalla, rushing through legislation so it could place the city's steelworks into the hands of administrators KordaMentha because of the mounting debts of OneSteel's owners, GFG Alliance. "South Australians will not be taken for fools by fast-talking businessmen that continually break their promises to our state," Mr Mullighan said, referencing GFG chairman, UK billionaire Sanjeev Gupta. The $73 million for drought relief had already been announced and there was no new money to relieve the escalating impact of record and near-record low rainfall across most of SA's farming regions in recent years. The economy was predicted to grow by 1.25 per cent in 2024/25, rising to 1.75 in 2025/26 and 2.0 per cent in 2026/27. The state's AA+ credit rating remains stable and SA had the best credit outlook of all states except Western Australia. "This is what gives us the confidence to borrow, to invest in the infrastructure that's going to benefit future generations," Mr Mullighan said. Debt will increase to fund projects such as the new Women's and Children's Hospital and the north-south corridor's South Rd tunnel and net debt will grow over the forward estimates to $48.5 billion by 2028/29. Mr Tarzia described that figure as a "debt iceberg" that would cost almost $7 million a day in interest. But Mr Mullighan said the government would have more capacity to tackle debt once infrastructure projects were built. Premier Peter Malinauskas said the government was absorbing the cost of drought relief and the steelworks bailout while delivering record investments in infrastructure, health and housing. Shadow treasurer Sam Telfer said that was "quite frankly insulting when government departments have blown their budgets by a combined $1.6 billion". SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S BUDGET 2025/26: * Surplus: $179 million * Revenue: $31.369 billion * Expenditure: $31.190 billion * Net debt: $35.539 billion * GST revenue: $9.529 billion * Unemployment rate: 3.9 per cent (current) * Five biggest spending areas: health ($9.91 billion), education ($4.622 billion), infrastructure and transport ($1.965 billion), police ($1.269 billion), child protection ($877 million). A $395 million "law and order" package to fund hundreds of extra police officers headlines a state budget forced to absorb the impact of a troubled steelworks and an escalating drought. Delivering his fourth state budget on Thursday, South Australian Treasurer Stephen Mullighan had little to offer in the way of sweeteners before the state election in March. The state is already committed to big-ticket road and hospital projects and has had to prop up the Whyalla steelworks and respond to a drought crisis. Framing his budget as strategic investment balanced with fiscal discipline, Mr Mullighan said it provided the biggest boost to police funding in the state's history. The law and order package includes $172 million across six years to recruit 326 officers, lifting numbers to 5000 by 2030/31. More police security officers, civilianisation of administrative roles, and recruiting will deliver 630 extra police officers in frontline roles by 2031. "We are providing SA police the funding for more personnel, better facilities and new equipment, so they are better resourced," he said. But Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said the government was not able to fill police vacancies, let alone recruit hundreds more. The budget showed Labor was "out of money and out of ideas", he said. "The budget has no new plan to solve the housing crisis, no plan to bring down power bills and no plan to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis," he said. Mr Mullighan said there were no new or increased taxes and "our economy has gone from laggard to leader" since being elected in 2022. "We have the lowest unemployment rate in the state's history, we are ranked the best place in the nation to do business, we have the best-performing housing market and are the lowest taxing state on the mainland," he said. The mid-year budget review in December had predicted a surplus of $201 million, but this has shrunk to $18 million because of the Whyalla package and drought funding. The budget allocates $650 million towards the $2.4 billion Whyalla "sovereign steel" package announced jointly with the federal government, as the administrator stabilises the steelworks and prepares it for sale. In February, the state government took dramatic action in Whyalla, rushing through legislation so it could place the city's steelworks into the hands of administrators KordaMentha because of the mounting debts of OneSteel's owners, GFG Alliance. "South Australians will not be taken for fools by fast-talking businessmen that continually break their promises to our state," Mr Mullighan said, referencing GFG chairman, UK billionaire Sanjeev Gupta. The $73 million for drought relief had already been announced and there was no new money to relieve the escalating impact of record and near-record low rainfall across most of SA's farming regions in recent years. The economy was predicted to grow by 1.25 per cent in 2024/25, rising to 1.75 in 2025/26 and 2.0 per cent in 2026/27. The state's AA+ credit rating remains stable and SA had the best credit outlook of all states except Western Australia. "This is what gives us the confidence to borrow, to invest in the infrastructure that's going to benefit future generations," Mr Mullighan said. Debt will increase to fund projects such as the new Women's and Children's Hospital and the north-south corridor's South Rd tunnel and net debt will grow over the forward estimates to $48.5 billion by 2028/29. Mr Tarzia described that figure as a "debt iceberg" that would cost almost $7 million a day in interest. But Mr Mullighan said the government would have more capacity to tackle debt once infrastructure projects were built. Premier Peter Malinauskas said the government was absorbing the cost of drought relief and the steelworks bailout while delivering record investments in infrastructure, health and housing. Shadow treasurer Sam Telfer said that was "quite frankly insulting when government departments have blown their budgets by a combined $1.6 billion". SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S BUDGET 2025/26: * Surplus: $179 million * Revenue: $31.369 billion * Expenditure: $31.190 billion * Net debt: $35.539 billion * GST revenue: $9.529 billion * Unemployment rate: 3.9 per cent (current) * Five biggest spending areas: health ($9.91 billion), education ($4.622 billion), infrastructure and transport ($1.965 billion), police ($1.269 billion), child protection ($877 million).
West Australian
5 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Treasurer Stephen Mullighan spends big on Whyalla steel in 2025-26 South Australian budget
The troubled Whyalla steelworks, law and order and a bold bid to bring the mammoth COP31 climate conference to Adelaide are the big winners from South Australia's pre-election budget. Treasurer Stephen Mullighan has promised $650m over six years for the steel plant as part of a $2.4bn 'sovereign steel package' backed by the federal government. In his speech to the state parliament on Thursday afternoon, Mr Mullighan outlined where the money would go and said the allocation would preserve the state's industrial capacity. 'Our unprecedented intervention to place the Whyalla steelworks into administration has protected thousands of jobs, hundreds of businesses and ensured Australia remains a country that manufactures critical steel products,' he said. 'Under this government, South Australians will not be taken for fools by fast-talking businessmen that continually break their promises to our state … the ($650m) funding is for administration costs, investment in the plant to support the sale and for a comprehensive rescue package that safeguards the Whyalla community.' The state government took control of Whyalla from British steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta in February and administrators KordaMentha are working to secure a buyer for the integrated plant. Before the shock takeover, the steelworks suffered losses for months and the government grew increasingly sceptical Mr Gupta's GFG Alliance would meet its debt obligations. The steelworks is a core economic engine for Whyalla, a town of 22,000 people, and the state more broadly. It is Australia's only fully integrated steelmaking enterprise, producing slabs, billets, hot rolled structural steel and rail products. Thursday's budget comes about nine months before the Labor government, led by Premier Peter Malinauskas, will return to the polls in March next year. In a pre-election pitch, Mr Mullighan said the budget preserved the state's industrial capacity, supported farmers battling through punishing drought conditions and demonstrated the government's 'sound financial management'. 'We are the lowest taxing state on the mainland,' Mr Mullighan said. 'And we have kept our promise not to introduce new taxes or increase existing ones. 'We've done all this while returning the budget to surplus and improving the state's credit rating outlook.' The budget delivers a surplus of $179m for 2025-26 and forecasts a $369m surplus for 2026-27 and $458m for 2027-28. Those figures are predicated on gross state product growth rates of 1.75 per cent for 2025-26, and then 2 per cent for both 2026-7 and 2027-28. Net debt is expected to expand from $35.5bn in 2025-26 to $48.5bn in 2028-29. Law and order is also a big winner, with the budget delivering $172m over six years to accommodate additional sworn officers. The state aspires to have a total sworn force of 5000 officers by 2030-31. 'While crime rates have fallen over the course of this government, we continue to toughen laws, expand our prisons and equip our police and criminal justice system with the resources needed to combat crime,' he said. 'This budget provides the largest boost to police funding in the state's history.' A bid to lure the COP31 climate conference to Adelaide is also a standout allocation, receiving $8.3m. A $118m cost-of-living package includes a stark boost for students. The price of student metro card 28-day passes, which are used across Adelaide's bus, rail and tram network, will tumble from $28.60 to just $10. The change means a student catching public transportation will pay the equivalent of 25 cents a trip. The Liberal Party, led by Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia, said the budget demonstrated Labor was 'out of money and out of ideas'. Mr Tarzia said the state was now confronting a 'debt iceberg', citing the $48.5bn figure as the largest in the state's history. 'The debt iceberg will sink the dreams of future South Australians' he said. 'What's abundantly clear is that Labor is completely out of touch with the needs of South Australians and instead, is frivolously whittling away taxpayer dollars on vanity projects that don't deliver any relief from sky-high energy prices, water bills and the housing crisis. 'A budget like this leaves South Australia vulnerable to economic shocks, which could come from any direction in the current economic climate. '
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
What it costs to save Aussie steel industry
The troubled Whyalla steelworks, law and order and a bold bid to bring the mammoth COP31 climate conference to Adelaide are the big winners from South Australia's pre-election budget. Treasurer Stephen Mullighan has promised $650m over six years for the steel plant as part of a $2.4bn 'sovereign steel package' backed by the federal government. In his speech to the state parliament on Thursday afternoon, Mr Mullighan outlined where the money would go and said the allocation would preserve the state's industrial capacity. 'Our unprecedented intervention to place the Whyalla steelworks into administration has protected thousands of jobs, hundreds of businesses and ensured Australia remains a country that manufactures critical steel products,' he said. 'Under this government, South Australians will not be taken for fools by fast-talking businessmen that continually break their promises to our state … the ($650m) funding is for administration costs, investment in the plant to support the sale and for a comprehensive rescue package that safeguards the Whyalla community.' South Australian Treasurer Stephen Mullighan handed down the 2025-26 budget on Thursday. NewsWire / Dean Martin Credit: News Corp Australia Anthony Albanese and Peter Malinauskas addressed workers at Whyalla Steelworks after the takeover. NewsWire / Tim Joy Credit: NewsWire The state government took control of Whyalla from British steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta in February and administrators KordaMentha are working to secure a buyer for the integrated plant. Before the shock takeover, the steelworks suffered losses for months and the government grew increasingly sceptical Mr Gupta's GFG Alliance would meet its debt obligations. The steelworks is a core economic engine for Whyalla, a town of 22,000 people, and the state more broadly. It is Australia's only fully integrated steelmaking enterprise, producing slabs, billets, hot rolled structural steel and rail products. Thursday's budget comes about nine months before the Labor government, led by Premier Peter Malinauskas, will return to the polls in March next year. In a pre-election pitch, Mr Mullighan said the budget preserved the state's industrial capacity, supported farmers battling through punishing drought conditions and demonstrated the government's 'sound financial management'. 'We are the lowest taxing state on the mainland,' Mr Mullighan said. 'And we have kept our promise not to introduce new taxes or increase existing ones. 'We've done all this while returning the budget to surplus and improving the state's credit rating outlook.' The budget delivers a surplus of $179m for 2025-26 and forecasts a $369m surplus for 2026-27 and $458m for 2027-28. Those figures are predicated on gross state product growth rates of 1.75 per cent for 2025-26, and then 2 per cent for both 2026-7 and 2027-28. The budget delivered substantial allocations to the Whyalla steelworks and to the South Australian Police. NewsWire / Dean Martin Credit: News Corp Australia Net debt is expected to expand from $35.5bn in 2025-26 to $48.5bn in 2028-29. Law and order is also a big winner, with the budget delivering $172m over six years to accommodate additional sworn officers. The state aspires to have a total sworn force of 5000 officers by 2030-31. 'While crime rates have fallen over the course of this government, we continue to toughen laws, expand our prisons and equip our police and criminal justice system with the resources needed to combat crime,' he said. 'This budget provides the largest boost to police funding in the state's history.' A bid to lure the COP31 climate conference to Adelaide is also a standout allocation, receiving $8.3m. A $118m cost-of-living package includes a stark boost for students. The price of student metro card 28-day passes, which are used across Adelaide's bus, rail and tram network, will tumble from $28.60 to just $10. Mr Mullighan (left) and Premier Peter Malinauskas will return to the polls in March next year. NewsWire / Dean Martin Credit: News Corp Australia The change means a student catching public transportation will pay the equivalent of 25 cents a trip. The Liberal Party, led by Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia, said the budget demonstrated Labor was 'out of money and out of ideas'. Mr Tarzia said the state was now confronting a 'debt iceberg', citing the $48.5bn figure as the largest in the state's history. 'The debt iceberg will sink the dreams of future South Australians' he said. 'What's abundantly clear is that Labor is completely out of touch with the needs of South Australians and instead, is frivolously whittling away taxpayer dollars on vanity projects that don't deliver any relief from sky-high energy prices, water bills and the housing crisis. 'A budget like this leaves South Australia vulnerable to economic shocks, which could come from any direction in the current economic climate. '
