SA State Budget 2017: Your five-minute guide

THE South Australian Government has handed down its last Budget before the State Election in 2018. Here’s our five-minute guide to what you need to know.

• State Budget 2017: Read our in-depth wrap of the key announcements
• State Budget 2017: Political Editor Daniel Wills’ analysis
• Government foreshadows heavy infrastructure spending in State Budget
• Labor robo-calling voters on health reforms before State Budget

THE South Australian Government has handed down its last Budget before the State Election in 2018. Here’s our five minute guide to what you need to know.

 

South Australia’s finances

An operating budget surplus of $72 million is forecast for 2017-18, rising to $462 million by 2020-21.

Net debt to jump from $6.1 billion to $6.7 billion as new infrastructure spending kicks in.

Infrastructure spending to rise to record $2.2 billion in 2017-18.

 

Households

General fees and charges will rise by an average 2.2 per cent in 2017-18. Most speeding fines will also go up by 2.2 per cent.

A single-trip public transport ticket will cost $5.40, up from $5.30. A five-year driver’s licence renewal will rise 2.4 per cent to $215. Compulsory third party premiums will rise 3 per cent to $400.75.

Water bills for average residential customers will rise 2.1 per cent to $782.27 in 2017-18.

WATCH: Reporter Lauren Novak answers your Budget questions

Jobs

A $200 million Future Jobs Fund is being established with $100 million in grants and $100 million in low-interest loans available.

Businesses that register a new employee for a Job Accelerator Grant will receive an extra $5000 if an apprentice or trainee is employed.

Businesses with payrolls between $600,000 and $5 million will receive up to $15,000 for each apprentice above current staffing levels.

Taxes

The major banks have been slugged $370 million through the imposition of a levy on liabilities.

Government will raise $48.8 million by charging a four per cent extra conveyance duty on foreigners buying residential property.

 

 

Education

Two new schools, catering from Reception to Year 12, with 1500 students each, will be built in the northern suburbs at Munno Para and in the south around Aldinga.

A $600,000 pilot program to provide fresh fruit in schools

 

Economic Forecasts

South Australia’s economy is expected to grow by 2.25 per cent in 2017-18 and for the next three years. The national economy is expected to grow by 3 per cent in the same period.

Employment growth is predicted to rise by 1 per cent in 2017-18 and at the same rate in the following three years.

Transport

Increased train services on the Gawler, Outer Harbor, Belair and Seaford lines including week nights and weekends will cost $22.4 million.

Further electrification of the rail line from Salisbury to Gawler, replacing the signal system and the purchase of 15 new trains at a cost of $242.5 million.

New Park ‘n’ Ride services at the Tea Tree Plaza and Klemzig interchanges to cost $15 million.

 

Health

A new Adelaide Women’s Hospital to be built next to the new RAH, costing $528 million, to be completed by 2024.

A rejuvenation the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at a cost of $250 million, including a new emergency department and operating theatres. Cardiology will now no longer be closed.

Additional running costs at hospitals will be covered by increased funding of $195 million.

A $52.5 million expansion of the Lyell McEwin Hospital, including extra ambulance spaces.

 

Premier Jay Weatherill and Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis arrive at the Convention Centre to unveil State Budget 2017. Picture: Ben Macmahon/AAP

Emergency services, Law & Order

High courts precinct to be redeveloped at a cost of $31 million.

Additional 160 beds at the Mt Gambier prison at a cost of $38.3 million.

 

Business

Payroll tax cuts for small business extended and locked in at a cost of $45 million. Around 1300 employers to benefit.

 

Environment

First stage of government’s hydrogen roadmap — which will include the construction of a hydrogen production facility, a refuelling station and a trial involving six hydrogen-fuelled buses — will cost around $8.2 million.

Sport

$14 million added to improving women’s sporting facilities.

$4.5 million to improve the Priceline netball stadium.

$3 million to support the staging of a second V8 event at Tailem Bend.

 

Communities

A $40 million Fund My Neighbourhood program has been established, leaving it to communities to decide which local projects should be funded.

 

Regional & Rural

$6.7 million to fund 24-hour emergency care at Mt Barker and Strathalbyn.

The Port Bonython jetty will receive a $5.1 million upgrade.

The Mt Gambier airport will receive a $1.1 million upgrade.

MORE BUDGET COVERAGE — COMPREHENSIVE WRAP | DANIEL WILLS ANALYSIS