Transport Minister Stephan Knoll renews backing for the land tax plan, as Liberal MP fails to rule out crossing the floor
The controversial land tax policy has raised tensions within the Liberal Party, as Transport Minister Stephan Knoll renews support and a backbencher wouldn’t rule out crossing the floor.
Transport Minister Stephan Knoll has renewed his public backing support for the land tax plan, as one Liberal MP fails to rule out crossing the floor again.
The controversial land tax policy has raised tensions within the party, but few expect the plan to be altered or directly challenged after a partyroom meeting on Monday night.
Mr Knoll strongly backed Premier Steven Marshall, who has arrived back in Adelaide after taking leave overseas ahead of Parliament and Estimates hearings this week.
“I think the Premier has done a fantastic job,” Mr Knoll said.
Mr Knoll said the land tax plan, which aims to claw back $40 million per year by making it harder for people to minimise the charge by splitting their properties between different legal structures, was part of delivering on a key election commitment.
“I think what we’ve done here is shown to be a Government that delivers on what it says it is going to do, but also takes the hard decisions to deliver a Budget surplus,” Mr Knoll said.
“Perhaps the biggest commitment that we made to the people of SA is that we would manage the books in a way that is fiscally responsible.
“That is one of the key commitments we took to the people of SA, and I think this Government has been brilliant in delivering on that.”
Mount Barker-based MP Dan Cregan was one of four Liberal MPs earlier this month who crossed the floor to vote against the Government on new mining legislation.
He declined to slap down speculation he could do so again on land tax, saying Mr Knoll had dealt with the issue and: “We look forward to discussions in the partyroom”.
Treasurer Rob Lucas said there will be consultation about the plan as legislation is drafted.