The restrained 2019-20 South Australian Budget does little to help the state’s wider business community, other than boosting infrastructure spending to improve the state’s major transport thoroughfares, including regional roads and the North South Corridor.
Business SA is concerned to see net debt rising to record levels by 2023, a negligible reduction in public sector numbers, no additional payroll tax breaks, and no sign of a gas efficiency program.
Fees and charges have been increased to raise revenue in the wake of a GST write-down, to allow the state to focus on major infrastructure spending.
There is very little in this budget to boost business growth and help owners and operators still struggling to pay high energy and water costs. However, if the increased spending leads to more jobs, better economic conditions and improved transport outcomes, the state’s thousands of business owners could eventually see an improvement in economic conditions.
Off the back of the Joyce Review, Business SA would have expected to see greater policy and program support to enable export growth for South Australian businesses.
A substantial increase to the solid waste levy, which has more than doubled in recent years, would also be challenging and land tax aggregation changes will add further costs.
With a focus on regional growth, Business SA supports the $5m committed to protect the state’s horticulture industry against biosecurity and fruit fly threats, after a fruit fly outbreak threatened to decimate the Riverland this year.
Watch our short budget overview below or read through our more comprehensive summary.