Property Council pushes agenda ahead of South Australian election

Jessie RichardsonDecember 7, 2020

The Property Council is carrying out an extensive pre-election campaign in South Australia, with policy recommendations to politicians, businesses and powerbrokers. According to the Property Council, their agenda items, which include taxation reform, jobs growth, population growth and infrastructure, are intended to stimulate economic growth in the state.

The Property Council’s pre-election policy manifesto is titled Igniting Our Economy: Building a Dynamic Future for South Australia. According to Property Council president Ben Yates, “Igniting Our Economy offers a host of recommendations, that if adopted, will make South Australia a better place to live, work and do business.”

The council claims that the state currently has an “anti-growth taxation system”, and requires a “comprehensive taxation review.” In a statement released last month, the council comments that “our future leaders also need to boost jobs growth and stem the tide of South Australians fleeing interstate and overseas. With more jobs and local opportunities South Australia will attract more people and be able to keep pace with other states and markets.”

The Liberal party has vowed to decrease land tax if elected in South Australia.

The Property Council also believes that sustainable population growth must be a priority for the next government of South Australia, with population growth a potential driver of funding for infrastructure development.

The council has also launched a website, SA Decides 2014, covering news regarding the upcoming South Australian election. The website lists the Property Council's policy recommendations as follows:

  • Conduct a ‘root and branch’ review to reshape the State’s taxes and design a sustainable system.
  • Invest in innovation and long-term economic development by trialling a Payments in Lieu of Taxation (PILOT) program.
  • Remove disincentives to ‘down-sizing’ and ‘right-sizing’ by providing stamp duty relief for home owners aged over 55.
  • Establish a ‘Jobs Fund’ to explore and invest in job-creating businesses.
  • Adopt the Property Council’s Nine Point Plan to increase the number of skilled migrants settling in South Australia.
  • Establish Infrastructure SA to identify and prioritise key infrastructure projects.
  • Charge Infrastructure SA with recommending and implementing the financing and funding of infrastructure projects.
  • Implement the Property Council’s planning and development reforms package.
  • Work with the private sector to improve social housing outcomes for the community.
  • Make available competitively located, and development-ready industrial land to support growing industries.
  • Increase and retain international students in South Australia.
  • Leverage off investments in medical education to enhance the State’s health and biomedical research industry.
  • Establish a Centre for Construction Excellence in South Australia.
  • Appoint an independent Audit Commission to examine the role, structure and culture of the public service.
  • Take stock of current projects and spending by initiating a line-by-line review of all State Government programs and projects.
  • Repeal a prioritised list of out-dated legislation and regulation, and adopt a one-in, one-out rule.
  • Fully liberalise trading hours and allow businesses to respond to demand.
  • Reform local government to improve its professionalism and effectiveness.

Source: SA Decides 2014

South Australia will go to the polls on 15 March 2014.

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