Opposition councils spokesman Tony Piccolo tells State Parliament Labor won’t ‘declare our hand’ on rate cap, wants more time

LABOR has still not made up its mind about whether to cap out-of-control council rate rises, despite debate being underway in State Parliament, sparking an accusation that the party is split.

LABOR has still not made up its mind about whether to cap out-of-control council rate rises, despite debate being underway in State Parliament, sparking an accusation the party is split.

Opposition councils spokesman Tony Piccolo on Tuesday told Parliament that Labor had “not formulated its final position”, and wanted to wait until after the winter break in sitting.

Labor opposed the plan at the March election, but has since been reviewing its position.

It comes despite Premier Steven Marshall last week saying the Government wanted to force a Lower House vote on the controversial legislation immediately and make Labor take a view.

The Government is struggling to get the Upper House crossbench votes it needs to make the policy law, and introduce upper limits on local government tax rises starting next year.

Labor could give the Government the backing it needs, making the crossbench irrelevant.

Mr Piccolo said many parts of the rate cap proposal still needed to be clarified.

“We are engaging with a whole range of people ... to make sure that we get a full picture and understand the impact of rate capping before we declare our hand,” Mr Piccolo said.

“We will be in a position to declare our position by the time the bill hits the Upper House for debate.”

Mr Marshall on Tuesday said his party had been promoting rate capping for almost five years.

“It is time for Labor to make up their mind as to whether they are going to support ratepayers in SA, or continue their petty internal squabbles,” he said.

“(Opposition Leader) Peter Malinauskas has again failed a leadership test. The (Labor) Caucus has now refused to arrive at a decision. There is a schism in the Labor Party room, they haven’t been able to decide.”

Mr Marshall said the legislation would reach the Upper House this week.

“It’s time for SA to get on and have this rate capping in place,” he said.

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