Posted on: 22 December 2023
South Australian families fighting the cost of living crisis have been abandoned by the Malinauskas Labor Government after the Mid-Year Budget Review revealed an additional $2 billion in revenue has not been used to ease hip pocket pain.
Due to increased federal and state revenue, Peter Malinauskas and Stephen Mullighan pocketed an extra $2 billion in revenue since their first budget - but with the average SA family more than $20,000 worse off under Labor, the benefits of the huge windfall is unknown.
South Australian householders are already battling the highest inflation rate in the nation and highest electricity prices in the country.
Shadow Treasurer, Matt Cowdrey, said Peter Malinauskas and Stephen Mullighan must explain to struggling South Australians why Labor is withholding crucial cost of living support from average South Australian families and small businesses.
“We know Peter Malinauskas and Stephen Mullighan stumbled upon a mountain of money with an extra $2 billion this financial year, but struggling South Australian families haven’t seen a cent,” Mr Cowdrey said.
“South Australians are hurting, struggling to pay bills, put food on the table and presents under the tree this Christmas, but Peter Malinauskas and Stephen Mullighan are rolling in cash.
“Peter Malinauskas and Stephen Mullighan must explain what the $2 billion in extra revenue has delivered for South Australians and why their priority wasn’t cost of living relief.”
Shadow Minister for Finance and Tax Reform, Heidi Girolamo, said South Australians are forking out an extra $400 per week on Labor’s watch.
“South Australians are losing hope in this cost of living crisis and when Peter Malinauskas and Stephen Mullighan had a chance to offer a helping hand, they instead turned their backs on families and small businesses,” Ms Girolamo said.
“Time and time again Peter Malinauskas has shown his true colours and confuses his priorities – and it’s clear South Australian families suffering through the cost of living crisis are the bottom of Labor’s barrel.
“We all know Labor simply cannot be trusted when it comes to spending taxpayer money.”