SA BUDGET FALTERS BEHIND BOLD FEDERAL VISION

4 June 2009

Kevin Foley's 2009 state budget is out of step with the federal government's strategic vision for weathering the financial crisis.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says Kevin Foley should have taken a page form Kevin Rudd's book.

"Big Kevin in Canberra is boldly focused on stimulus and growth through forward looking spending investment.  By contrast, little Kevin in Adelaide is pursuing cuts and caps", Ms Giles says.

"In reality, the state government is relying on the commonwealth to pull it through, when it ought to be taking more of a decisive stand itself."

?Much of the investment in infrastructure and related jobs growth is driven by federal funding.  We're seeing very little commitment at the state level towards protecting existing jobs."

"The government's own Economic Development Board report, and indeed, SA Unions' "A Fair Share of the Future" report both emphasise the need for sustainable investment."

"We don't think this budget does enough to protect existing jobs in the manufacturing sector.  The government could and should be doing more to invest in emerging industries that are going to be sustainable and viable in the long term - such as the new, savvy technologies that will underpin our future economy."

"Many existing manufacturing industries are under pressure.  Their workers are extremely vulnerable to job loss.  Securing the next wave of manufacturing industries for this state is a priority, along with the skills training to ensure workers are able to make the transition from the old to the new as seamlessly as possible."

"Now is not the time to hesitate.  Don't wait - do it now", Ms Giles says.