STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr VENNING (Grey) (13:39): Yesterday Labor voted to increase taxes on widows and divorcees. That tells you everything you need to know about this government. This tax is appalling, but it doesn't surprise me, because over the last few weeks I've been advocating fiercely for a Whyalla constituent, Kate Edwards, who is a registered midwife.

Unfortunately, Kate has been slapped with over 70 grand in taxes and fees because of an admin error when she bought her own home. Kate packed up her life in the United Kingdom to fill a skills gap in Whyalla, which saved a maternity ward that had been forced to close in 2023. Today, after pressure from Kate and my office, state treasurer Tom Koutsantonis apologised on air and has guaranteed that Kate will get her state fees of about 28 grand back.

Putting aside state Labor's hypocrisy of spending 12 months asking the feds for a refund while not refunding their own fees, finally, state treasurer Tom Koutsantonis admitted today that 'it's something we could have fixed earlier'. Labor loves unfair taxes, and this is just another example. I call on Treasurer Jim Chalmers to take Kate's issue seriously, respond to my requests and, like his state colleagues, see the light and immediately refund the $44,000 that has been taken from Kate.