Q&A With Peter Malinauskas

Leader of the Opposition

South Australia has reaped the rewards of successfully managing the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. As Australia and the world opens up, what are your priorities to ensure that businesses in this state can grow and prosper?

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a better South Australia. But it won’t just happen. We must seize this moment.

I am determined that the suite of policies I take to the people of South Australia in March are not just for the next election, but for the next generation.

The coming years will present challenges, but they also present opportunities, the likes of which we haven’t seen since World War II. I have already announced some of my policies for the future and look forward to detailing more in the lead up to the election. In 30 years' time, I hope our children can say this generation saw the moment, and seized the moment.

Let’s make the legacy of COVID-19 a more secure and prosperous future.

The next four years will be critical for our states economic future post-COVID-19. Under a Malinauskas Labor government there will be no new taxes or sudden tax changes like we saw with the introduction of Land Tax aggregation. There will also be no dramatic increases in levies and charges.

We will also deliver a long term plan to address skill shortages that are impacting so many of your businesses. Our plan for motorsport and car clubs will get more classic and historic vehicles onto the road for club events and exhibitions, and support the car restoration industry, including panel beaters, spray painters, mechanics, auto electricians and motor trimmers.

COVID-19 has been a major disruptor, regularly changing the way we do business in this State. If you are elected as the next Premier, what support, clarity and confidence can automotive businesses expect from your government?

We will work with the MTA and key businesses to forge a shared path driven by the consensus that a small state thrives on co-operation, not division, and that we are stronger working together towards shared goals. We will provide clear direction, because if we want businesses to employ, invest and create jobs, they need certainty in an uncertain world

Currently electric vehicles only make up a very small percentage of sales in South Australia, with varying predictions about how many will be sold and when. How will you help businesses in the automotive industry plan and invest towards this future with confidence?

Labor will repeal the Marshall Liberal government’s electric vehicle tax. This legislation is due to take effect from 2027, and Labor will repeal it before any electric vehicles can be taxed for the kilometres they drive. We want to encourage South Australians to buy an electric vehicle and hitting them with this tax will have the opposite effect.

Changing automotive technology is also putting pressure on government revenue such as national fuel excise, leading to different states and territories implementing or ruling out road user charge policies for zero and low emission vehicles. Is a road user charge at a state level in our best interests?

Labor does not support the introduction state road users charges, they are not in South Australia’s best interest. That is why we will repeal the EV tax.

National fuel excise has always been the responsibility of the Federal Government and any changes should be done nationally led by the Federal Government.

There has been a strong focus on growing and retaining apprentices from the State and Federal governments over the past two years. What will your party do to encourage businesses to continue to invest in apprentices?

I have heard loud and clear the calls from your industry and others about our state’s skills crisis. That is why I have developed and released a comprehensive education policy which is all about improving the quality of our schools, but also the pathways out of school and into employment.

A central feature is my plan to build five new technical colleges. Our technical colleges policy will be built with the latest equipment and state-of-the-art technology. They will be run in conjunction with nearby high schools to allow year 10-12 students to successfully complete their SACE, while getting trade qualifications. They will also facilitate links with local businesses, connecting students to apprenticeships and traineeships.

According to AAA data, South Australia has one the highest road tolls per capita in the country, and the ABS shows that we also have one of the nation’s oldest vehicle fleets. With 70 per cent of used vehicles in the state sold privately, do you support making it a legislative requirement and responsibility for those selling a vehicle to ensure it is roadworthy?

Along with advancements in vehicle technology, a focus on the ‘fatal five – seat belts, speed and drink driving – Labor’s record investment in government on road infrastructure helped reduce South Australia’s road toll. South Australia’s annual road went from 138 fatalities in 2002 to under 100 during our term of government.

But one life lost is one too many, and we need to constantly strive to look for new ways to prevent death and serious injury on our roads.

Labor does not support the introduction of mandatory vehicle inspections because of the financial burden it places on the community and the analysis from interstate jurisdictions which reveals that they only contribute a minor reduction in injury crash rates.

However, we do support a voluntary vehicle inspection scheme at the change of ownership. This will provide consumers with the opportunity to seek out an accredited organisation to inspect a vehicle prior to a transaction.

Consumers and the crash repair industry have had a massive win with Parliament passing laws to mandate the national Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct in South Australia with binding mediation and penalties. Will you commit to delivering the regulations and implementation of dispute resolution by 1 July 2022?

Labor supported the Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Insurers and Repairers) Amendment Bill, and if we form government after the March election we will deliver the regulations to ensure implementation occurs as soon as possible.