DOCSLIB.ORG

MC Livesey QC Bar Chambers 30 August 2018

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
MC Livesey QC Bar Chambers 30 August 2018 Report to the Honourable Vickie Chapman MP, Attorney-General for the State of South Australia into the Procurement of Diesel Generators M.C. Livesey QC Bar Chambers 30 August 2018 Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation 2 Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3 Summary of Answers to the Terms of Reference ...................................................................... 4 First Term of Reference ......................................................................................................... 4 Second Term of Reference..................................................................................................... 7 Third Term of Reference ....................................................................................................... 7 Fourth Term of Reference ...................................................................................................... 8 Context for the generator procurement process ......................................................................... 9 The requirements of procurement ............................................................................................ 12 Short-term electricity generation procurement ........................................................................ 15 The Aurecon draft concept and cost estimate .......................................................................... 25 State owned gas-fired electricity generation plant ................................................................... 26 The Public Works Committee .................................................................................................. 27 Developments in November 2017 ........................................................................................... 31 Procurement and relocation: The State-owned emergency power plant ................................. 34 The First Term of Reference .................................................................................................... 36 The Second Term of Reference ............................................................................................... 39 The Third Term of Reference .................................................................................................. 42 The Fourth Term of Reference ................................................................................................ 42 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 43 Attachment 1 – Initial Request for Documents .................................................................... 45 Attachment 2 – Responses to Request for Documents, Further Requests ........................... 46 3 Introduction 1. On 3 April 2018 I was appointed to the role of Special Investigator to examine the procurement of nine diesel generators by the former Government.1 2. I was instructed to review all relevant South Australian Government files and other documents and to report by 30 June 2018 on the following Terms of Reference: 2.1. The lease and subsequent purchase of 9 aero-derivative turbines from APR Energy and, in particular, whether the purchase option is binding, and what advantage, if any, there was in exercising the option early; 2.2. Whether all procurement policies and guidelines were followed in exercising the lease and purchase option; 2.3. The financial exposure of the State and any other relevant matters arising from these matters; 2.4. Options open to the government with regard to the future management and ownership of the turbines and the financial implications of such options. 3. I have been assisted by officers in your Department, by officers in the Department of Treasury and Finance (Treasury), and by officers and contractors in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC), primarily those who formed part of the “Energy Team”, tasked with implementing relevant aspects of the former government’s “Energy Plan”. This assistance included responses to my requests for all relevant documents.2 4. This report was due on 30 June 2018. However, as I was unable to access the key submissions made to Cabinet,3 which I was told contained financial and other analyses concerning the decision to obtain, and ultimately to exercise, the option to purchase on 28 November 2017, an opportunity was given to the Opposition Leader to consent to their release. Ultimately consent to see those submissions was not given. Apart from one spreadsheet supplied to me in connection with my investigation,4 I have seen no comprehensive or contemporaneous independent financial analysis of the long-term implications of exercising the option when it was announced in August 2017, or when it was exercised in November 2017. Naturally, that analysis may be contained in documents that I have not seen. 1 Confirmed by letter dated 4 April 2018 from the Acting Chief Executive, Attorney-General’s Department (AGD). 2 Attachment 1 is my request for documents on 6 April 2018. Attachment 2 is an explanation of the responses received, some of the meetings and conversations held in connection with my investigation, and a listing of all documents provided to me by officers of the “Energy Team”. 3 I wrote to DPC on 23 May but was not advised until after 5pm on Friday, 28 June 2018 that my request had been referred to the Leader of the Opposition – see Attachment 2. 4 “NPV Reports: Evaluation Table, APR Turbine Buyout Options – Draft: 200MW Temporary Generation – Financial Buyout Model”, prepared by SA Power Networks on 12 June 2017. 4 5. It is important to recognise that this investigation is not a Royal Commission, and I have no power to compel information or evidence.5 I was not authorised to conduct hearings. In addition, I am not asked to comment upon, or determine the responsibility for, decision-making by any particular person. Accordingly, my report is expressed in general terms and without whatever advantage might be associated with giving those who were closely involved any opportunity to comment on any aspect of this report. In the main, my report is based on my review of the various documents supplied to me. I have treated the documents supplied to me as comprehensive responses to my requests. I have made my findings on the balance of probabilities, assuming the documents supplied to me are genuine and accurate records of what they purport to contain. 6. In what follows I have initially set out, really by way of summary, my answers to the Terms of Reference, followed by a narrative review of the information provided to me as the result of meetings and conversations with various department officers, as well as from my review of the folders of documents provided, together with a volume of email correspondence, before considering each of the terms in more detail. I have not attempted anything like a comprehensive exposition of the many complex engineering and economic questions inevitably raised when considering issues associated with the supply of electricity to South Australian consumers, whether over the last few years or over the potential operating life of the turbines, 25 years into the future. Summary of Answers to the Terms of Reference 7. As to each of the Terms of Reference: First Term of Reference 7.1. The lease and purchase of nine turbines was undertaken as one part of the former government’s “Energy Plan”, intended to provide “energy security” in the form of electricity supply to South Australian consumers during emergencies caused by disruption to supply from the Australian electricity market. The turbines were intended to avoid further ‘black-outs’ of the kind experienced in South Australia during late 2016, early 2017. Initially the turbines were intended as a short-term option, to be based at two sites, and available if required in emergencies: they were procured under a lease arrangement with an initial period of 13 months and a further 12-month optional lease period. 7.2. The lease arrangements included an option to purchase granted by deed in August 2017, following a report to the Joint Steering Committee in June 2017 and preliminary relocation analysis by Aurecon in July 2017. An announcement of the decision to acquire was made by the then Premier and Energy Minister in early August 2017, rather than proceed with the separate construction of a permanent gas-fired emergency power station. More detailed analysis of relocation options was undertaken by Aurecon in October 2017. 5 Cf., Royal Commissions Act 1917, s 10 5 By late November 2017 it was decided to exercise the option to purchase the turbines, although consideration had been given to this step from June 2017. 7.2.1. The Option Exercise Notice was executed by the then Treasurer and Energy Minister, and witnessed by the then Premier on 28 November 2017. On the same day the Asset Sale Contract was executed by the Energy Minister and witnessed by a senior officer. The exercise of the option, and the Asset Sale Contract, are binding on the State of South Australia. 7.2.2. It is difficult to determine the concrete advantage associated with exercising the option early. By November 2017 the short-term generation facilities were in place, ready for the summer of 2017/2018. There may have been some assistance to early planning for the relocation of the turbines to one site with access to a gas connection, and concern about the approach
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Released Under Foi
    File 2018/15258/01 – Document 001 Applicant Name Applicant Type Summary All briefing minutes prepared for Ministers (and ministerial staff), the Premier (and staff) and/or Deputy Premier (and staff) in respect of the Riverbank precinct for the period 2010 to Vickie Chapman MP MP present Total patronage at Millswood Station, and Wayville Station (individually) for each day from 1 Corey Wingard MP October 30 November inclusive Copies of all documents held by DPTI regarding the proposal to shift a government agency to Steven Marshall MP Port Adelaide created from 2013 to present The total annual funding spent on the Recreation and Sport Traineeship Incentive Program Tim Whetstone MP and the number of students and employers utilising this program since its inception A copy of all reports or modelling for the establishment of an indoor multi‐sports facility in Tim Whetstone MP South Australia All traffic count and maintenance reports for timber hulled ferries along the River Murray in Tim Whetstone MP South Australia from 1 January 2011 to 1 June 2015 Corey Wingard MP Vision of rail car colliding with the catenary and the previous pass on the down track Rob Brokenshire MLC MP Speed limit on SE freeway during a time frame in September 2014 Request a copy of the final report/independent planning assessment undertaken into the Hills Face Zone. I believe the former Planning Minister, the Hon Paul Holloway MLC commissioned Steven Griffiths MP MP the report in 2010 All submissions and correspondence, from the 2013/14 and 2014/15 financial years
    [Show full text]
  • The Bulletin Newsletter of the South Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society Inc
    THE BULLETIN NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA SOCIETY INC. (SAVES) Vol 29 No 3. ISSN 1321-0599 November 2012 ‘The right to die is as inviolable as the right to life’ Sir Mark Oliphant Syndicated Australian which that person finds intolerable. SAVE-YA aims to raise awareness of voluntary euthanasia and Voluntary Euthanasia Youth mobilise public support. This is to bring about law Advocates: ‘SAVE-YA’ reform in South Australia so that death will become a legal medical last resort for hopelessly ill people A national youth advocacy group initiated here in SA who freely express their informed wish to die a has been established to support law reform: based peaceful and dignified death. The reality shown by on societal need from a youth perspective. The group reputable surveys is that voluntary euthanasia and acknowledges that the right to choose voluntary physician-assisted dying already occur on a regular euthanasia under prescribed circumstances is an basis, but as they are currently illegal, there are no issue for people of all ages. Convenor Amy Orange records or means of ensuring that the procedure explains that the impetus for establishing this group is performed with due care. If these were to be was learning of the tragic situation that one young legalised, the proper procedures would be in place dying woman was forced to endure. Amy writes: to ensure that records are maintained and available to ensure accountability from all parties. Angelique Flowers lived a short life full of pain and The moral principles SAVE-YA uphold when suffering; diagnosed at 15 years of age with severe advocating for legalising voluntary euthanasia have Crohn’s disease and then later on with aggressive also been adopted from SAVES: terminal colon cancer at age 30.
    [Show full text]
  • DPC18/3376 GPO Box 2343 Adelaide SA 5001 DX 56201 12 September 2018 Tel 08 8226 3500 Fax 08 8226 3535
    DPC18/3376 GPO Box 2343 Adelaide SA 5001 DX 56201 12 September 2018 Tel 08 8226 3500 Fax 08 8226 3535 www.dpc.sa.gov.au Mr Peter Malinauskas Leader of the Opposition Parliament House North Terrace ADELAIDE SA 5000 Sent by email: [email protected] Dear Mr Malinauskas Freedom of information application I refer to your request received by the Office of the Premier seeking access under section 13 of the Freedom of Information Act 1991 (the Act) to: All documents relating to the monthly summary and statistics of television and radio interviews by Ministers and Shadow Ministers as prepared by the SA Government Media Monitoring Service between 17 March 2018 to 7 August 2018. The Department for the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) is responsible for providing determinations on behalf of the Office of the Premier and the purpose of this letter is to advise you of my determination. 8 documents were identified as answering the terms of your application and I have determined to release these documents as follows: I grant you access to 4 documents in full, copies of which are enclosed, and I grant you access to 4 documents in part, copies of which are also enclosed. Please refer to the schedule of documents attached, which, sets out my determination and reasons in full. Documents released in full Documents 1,3, 5 and 7 Documents released in part Documents 2, 4, 6 and 8 These documents contain information relating to the personal affairs of third parties. Under clause 6(1) of Schedule 1 to the Act, information is exempt if its disclosure would involve the ‘unreasonable disclosure of information concerning the personal affairs of any person’.
    [Show full text]
  • Foi30/6148 3
    Doc. 102 RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION Doc. 103 There is mounting evidence that the coldest minima measured by the Bureau’s weather stations have not been entered into ADAM (Australian Data Archive for Meteorology). This is because of limits placed on the recording of temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius. The Bureau has not prevented the coldest minimum temperatures from being entered into the national data base. There are standard quality control measures applied to extreme temperatures to verify that they are real, and not the result of an error in the observing system (such as may be due to instrumental error or errors in the transmission of the data to the Bureau). This process is analogously applied to rainfall and other meteorological observations, since experience has shown that extreme values should be subject to verification. This is additional to the Bureau closing stations in cold locations, for example Charlotte Pass – while opening new stations in hot places. The Bureau’s method for analysing Australian temperature trends accounts for changes in the observing network over time. The network changes for a range of reasons. For example, during the early period of record, observations expanded with the settlement of the continent. More recently, changing infrastructure requirements has led to a shift in the siting of some instruments. The process of accounting for these changes has been independently reviewed by a panel of international experts and through the recent Technical Advisory Forum.
    [Show full text]
  • South Australian Labor Shadow Ministry September 2020
    South Australian Labor Shadow Ministry September 2020 Title Shadow Minister Leader of the Opposition Peter Malinauskas MP Shadow Minister for Defence & Space Industries Shadow Minister for Jobs Deputy Leader of the Opposition Susan Close MP Shadow Minister for Environment & Water Shadow Minister for Climate Change Shadow Minister for Industry & Higher Education Shadow Attorney-General Kyam Maher MLC Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations & Public Sector Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Shadow Minister for Infrastructure & Transport Tom Koutsantonis MP Shadow Minister for Mining & Energy Shadow Minister for Government Accountability Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly Shadow Treasurer Stephen Mullighan MP Shadow Minister for Trade, Tourism & Investment Zoe Bettison MP Shadow Minister for Health & Wellbeing Chris Picton MP Shadow Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard MP Shadow Minister for Women & the Prevention of Domestic & Family Violence Shadow Minister for Recreation, Sport & Racing Shadow Minister for Police & Road Safety Lee Odenwalder MP Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Shadow Minister for Correctional Services Shadow Minister for Human Services Nat Cook MP Shadow Minister for Primary Industries & Regional Development Clare Scriven MLC Shadow Minister for Forestry Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Shadow Minister for Planning & Local Government Jayne Stinson MP Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Shadow Minster
    [Show full text]
  • Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill
    South Australian Parliament House of Assembly Bills VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING BILL Second Reading May 26, 2021 Name Page Steven Marshall 1 Vickie Chapman 2 Paula Luethen 2 Stephen Patterson 5 Eddie Hughes 7 Tim Whetstone 9 Jo Szakacs 10 Steve Murray 11 Nat Cook 13 John Gardner 14 Blair Boyer 16 Frances Bedford 17 Peter Treloar 18 Chris Picton 20 Fraser Ellis 22 Nick McBride 24 Sam Duluk 26 Katrine Hildyard 28 Adrian Pederick 30 Jayne Stinson 31 Rachel Sanderson 33 Dana Wortley 35 Dan Cregan 35 Stephen Mullighan 36 Tom Koutsantonis 38 Dr Susan Close 40 Division 41 House of Assembly Hansard May 26, 2021 South Australia Bills VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING BILL Second Reading Adjourned debate on second reading. (Continued from 12 May 2021.) The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (19:31): I rise to speak on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill. I support the second reading of this bill. I have supported legislation for assisted dying when it has been before this house previously. I do so again, not because I would avail myself of such laws but because I do not believe that I can deny other South Australians the right to make that choice. In providing this legal option at the end of a person's life, this bill establishes a range of mandatory protections, approvals and reviews to prevent exploitation. I have every respect for those who do not support voluntary assisted dying. I understand their views and their concerns. I have considered the deep and sensitive moral, ethical, legal, medical and professional considerations associated with this question, but it is also important to recognise that with the passage of these laws we will not be entering on the so-called slippery slope.
    [Show full text]
  • Community Consultation Report: Murray Futures: Lower Lakes & Coorong Recovery
    The Community Consultation Report: Murray Futures: Lower Lakes & Coorong Recovery Community Consultation (Stage 2) Report APPENDICES The Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth: Managing for a Healthy Future Page 1 The Community Consultation Report: Murray Futures: Lower Lakes & Coorong Recovery Appendices Appendix 1 Promotion - Distribution Points 3 Appendix 2 Promotion - Media Coverage 5 Appendix 3 Promotion – Printed Materials and Web Copy 8 Appendix 4 Targeted Meetings - Notes 12 Appendix 5 Targeted Meetings - (Example) PowerPoint Presentation 16 Appendix 6 Community Meetings by Request 18 Appendix 7 Focus Groups 19 Appendix 8 Field Visits and Landholder Interviews 24 Appendix 9 Socio Economic Impact Assessments 27 Appendix 10 Results of Phone Poll 47 Appendix 11 Summary Table (1800, Emails, Web) 89 Appendix 12 Comments (Written, Online Feedback Form, Template) – 90 Summaries Appendix 13 Management Actions Table 113 Appendix 14 Events & Shows 122 Appendix 15 Template/Online Feedback Form 123 Appendix 16 Examples – Management Action Flash Cards 155 Page 2 The Community Consultation Report: Murray Futures: Lower Lakes & Coorong Recovery Appendix 1 Promotion - Distribution Points Councils: Alexandrina Council Coorong District Council Strathalbyn Council Office Tailem Bend Office of Coorong District Council Tintinara Office of Coorong District Council Mount Barker District Council Rural City of Murray Bridge Libraries: Coomandook Community Library Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Library Goolwa Public Library Meningie
    [Show full text]
  • Labor Bid to Release Secret Documents Over $2.57M Henry Keogh Payout
    Labor bid to release secret documents over $2.57m Henry Keogh payout The extraordinary release of confidential documents about murder suspect Henry Keogh’s $2.57m taxpayer-funded payout is being urged by Labor as part of a bid to wound the Liberal minority government. In a ploy to leverage the newly empowered crossbenchers, Labor government accountability spokesman Tom Koutsantonis has notified parliament of a move to release four sets of documents, including Cabinet-in-confidence material. Covering topics calculated to appeal to the crossbenchers, the documents involve the Keogh payout, Brighton Rd,/Hove grade separation, rail outsourcing and Waite Gatehouse demolition. Mr Koutsantonis is trying to convince the five crossbenchers, including three former Liberals, to back the four motions and test parliament’s powers to force the documents’ release. Narungga MP Fraser Ellis, whose crossbench defection in February plunged the Liberals into minority, declared he would consider all motions put to parliament if they benefited his constituents. Other crossbenchers said the gatehouse issue would be discussed but stressed they wanted to co-operate with the government rather than be obstructionist. Mr Koutsantonis said he did not believe the public service advised Attorney-General Vickie Chapman to issue the $2.57m payout in 2018 to mitigate financial risk to the state from Mr Keogh’s wrongful murder conviction. Mr Keogh, who was released from prison in 2014 following an appeal, remains the sole suspect in the 1994 death of his then-fiancee, Anna- Jane Cheney. When prosecutors opted not to try him a third time, the State Government awarded him the $2.57 million taxpayer-funded payout for his 21 years in prison.
    [Show full text]
  • Term 1 Week 3
    ! ! Dear Members of the Holy Family Learning Community, I am very proud of all the students at Holy Family and it was with great pleasure that I attended the Graduation Ceremony at Thomas More College on Thursday. I saw so many familiar faces among current students and parents. We are truly a broad learning community in Salisbury. • One of our former students Nguyet Nguyen was DUX of Thomas More College for 2017 (ATAR 99.45) • One of our former students Viet-Trinh Nguyen was DUX of Thomas More College for 2016 (ATAR 99.4) • Another of our students Natasha Townsend was DUX of O.L.S.H. for 2017 (ATAR 97.6) Congratulations to every student from Holy Family who successfully completed Year 12 in the school of their choice. They are all winners! Increasingly, as Andrew said we are broadening the educational pathways between our schools KERRYWHITE PRINCIPAL Please see letter from Thomas More College on next page. Friday, 16 February 2018 ! ! ! 23 Amsterdam Crescent, Salisbury Downs, SA PO Box 535, Salisbury, SA 5108 E [email protected] T (08) 8182 2600 www.tmc.catholic.edu.au 19 December 2017 Kerry White Principal Holy Family Catholic School 71 Shepherdson Road Parafield Gardens 5107 Dear Kerry, I would liKe to extend congratulations to you and your Staff on the outstanding results of a number of past pupils from Holy Family Catholic School. This year seventeen students achieved an ATAR in excess of 90, an impressive number at our College with ten having graduated from Holy Family. Thomas More College also achieved an impressive 100% SACE completion.
    [Show full text]
  • Thursday, 4 July 2013
    No. 42 2915 THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT GAZETTE www.governmentgazette.sa.gov.au PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY ALL PUBLIC ACTS appearing in this GAZETTE are to be considered official, and obeyed as such ADELAIDE, THURSDAY, 4 JULY 2013 CONTENTS Page Page Appointments, Resignations, Etc. ............................................ 2916 Radiation Protection and Control Act 1982— Corporations and District Councils—Notices .......................... 2983 Notices ................................................................................. 2946 Development Act 1993—Notices ............................................ 2917 Environment Protection Act 1993—Notices ........................... 2926 REGULATIONS Fisheries Management Act 2007—Notice ............................... 2929 Liquor Licensing Act 1997 (No. 177 of 2013) ..................... 2977 Liquor Licensing Act 1997—Notices ...................................... 2929 Graffiti Control Act 2001 (No. 178 of 2013) ....................... 2979 Mining Act 1971—Notice ....................................................... 2933 Roads (Opening and Closing) Act 1991—Notice .................... 2946 Motor Vehicles Act 1959—Notice .......................................... 2934 Road Traffic Act 1961—Notice .............................................. 2947 National Electricity Law—Notice ........................................... 2937 RULES OF COURT National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972—Notice ....................... 2937 Supreme Court Civil Rules 2006 Petroleum and Geothermal Act 2000—Notices
    [Show full text]
  • 4 December 2011
    As at 24/11/11 46th National Conference 2 – 4 December 2011 Delegates and Proxies President and Vice Presidents To be advised Federal Parliamentary Leaders Delegates Proxy Delegates Julia Gillard Wayne Swan Chris Evans Stephen Conroy Federal Parliamentary Labor Party Representatives Delegates Doug Cameron David Feeney Gavin Marshall Anne McEwen Amanda Rishworth Matt Thistlethwaite Australian Young Labor Delegates Sarah Cole David Latham Mem Suleyman Australian Capital Territory Delegates & Proxies Katy Gallagher – Chief Minister Delegates Proxy Delegates Andrew Barr Meegan Fitzharris Dean Hall Amy Haddad Luke O'Connor Klaus Pinkas Alicia Payne Kristin van Barneveld Athol Williams Elias Hallaj, Non-voting Territory Secretary New South Wales Delegates and Proxies John Robertson - Leader of the Opposition Linda Burney – Leader’s Proxy Delegates Proxy Delegates Anthony Albanese Ed Husic Rob Allen Gerry Ambroisine Veronica Husted George Barcha Kirsten Andrews Rose Jackson Susai Benjamin Mark Arbib Johno Johnson Danielle Bevins-Sundvall Louise Arnfield Michael Kaine Alex Bukarica Timothy Ayres Graeme Kelly Meredith Burgmann Stephen Bali Grahame Kelly Michael Butterworth Paul Bastian Janice Kershaw Tony Catanzariti Derrick Belan Judith Knight Brendan Cavanagh Sharon Bird Michael Lee Jaime Clements Stephen Birney Mark Lennon Jeff Condron David Bliss Sue Lines Sarah Conway Phillip Boulten Rita Mallia Anthony D’Adam Christopher Bowen Maurice May Michael Daley Mark Boyd Jennifer McAllister Jo-Ann Davidson Corrine Boyle Robert McClelland Felix Eldridge
    [Show full text]
  • South Australia Economic Update
    South Australia Economic Update May 2016 South Australia Snapshot Economic Indicators Rank* Gross State Product AUDbn 2014-15 99 fifth Share of GDP 2014-15 6.1% fifth GSP per capita AUD 2014-15 58,177 seventh Employment y/y (t) Mar-16 1.0% fifth Share of employment Mar-16 6.8% fifth Unemployment rate (t) Mar-16 7.2% highest Population m Sep-15 1.7 fifth Share of population Sep-15 7.1% fifth Consumer Price Index y/y Dec-15 1.0% third lowest S&P's credit rating AA (stable) Moody's credit rating Aa1 (stable) Government Operating balance AUDm 2015-16 355.0 Net debt NFPS AUDbn 2015-16 10.6 Government Labor since 2002 Premier The Hon Jay Weatherill MP Leader of opposition Mr Steven Marshall MP Treasurer The Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP 2016-17 budget 23 June 2016 Next election 17 March 2018 * Rank among all eight states and territories 1 Source: ABS, State budget, State parliament, S&P, Moody’s, ANZ Research South Australia – Not bad, all things considered • Economic conditions remain challenging. The headwinds facing the mining, utilities, and manufacturing sectors continue and seem to be intensifying. The uncertainty over the future of the Whyalla steel works, closure of port Augusta power plants, and shuttering of Holden are just a few of the challenges currently facing South Australian businesses. • A positive sign for the defence industry is the announcement by the Commonwealth Government that the construction of offshore patrol vessels (AUD3bn) will begin in Adelaide starting in 2018. While not large in a macro sense - the additional work will help to keep the industry running between the completion of the Air Warfare Destroyers and the start-up of construction on the frigates in 2020.
    [Show full text]