ADELAIDE: South Australians will be hit with a raft of increased taxes and charges from the new financial year but tax breaks for some businesses and home buyers will be extended.
Some key legislative changes will also be introduced from July 1, including a ban on smoking in alfresco eating areas across SA.
More than 2800 injured workers face increased medical expenses with changes to the workers’ compensation scheme to cut their benefits.
Key increases include close to a two per cent hike in most public transport fares, similar increases in car registration fees and a 2.4 per cent rise in driver licence charges.
Many South Australians will also face a 1.5 per cent increase in their emergency services levy and there will be increases in most speeding fines of about 1.8 per cent.
But the government has announced a plan to extend payroll tax concessions for small businesses for an extra four years, saving companies up to $9800 each year.
It will also extend stamp duty concessions for off-the-plan apartments for another year, at a cost of $7.6 million.
South Australian Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis says he’s doing everything he can to stimulate economic growth, reduce taxes and keep cost of living pressures down.
“We’ve got to keep structurally reforming our economy. That means tax reform, that means stimulus, that means a whole suite of initiatives while also keeping in mind the cost of living,” he said recently.
With the state budget scheduled for July 7, South Australians could also be hit with more increases, when details of SA’s current finances are revealed.
That could call for some to light up a smoke, but they won’t be able to do that in outdoor dining areas.
A ban on smoking in alfresco venues will come into force in the new financial year and will apply to all pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants and fast-food outlets.
The Heart Foundation says the new move will help cut the rate of heart disease.
“It is well known that expanding smoke-free areas reduces exposure and reinforces that smoking is not a desirable social behaviour,” Heart Foundation acting chief executive Rachel McKay said.
“The majority of people don’t smoke and don’t want to breathe other people’s second-hand smoke.”
