Liberal Party Abandons $495M Water Bill Policy Ahead of SA Election

Treasurer Claims Major Policy Reversal

South Australian Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis stated on Wednesday that the Liberal Party has reportedly abandoned a major $495 million policy less than six weeks before the state election. Mr. Koutsantonis claimed that Shadow Water Minister Nicola Centofanti announced the policy change at an industry event hosted by the Australian Water Association of SA. The policy in question involved reversing a 3.5 percent increase in water bills.

Audio Evidence Presented

Mr. Koutsantonis played audio to journalists on Thursday, which reportedly captured Ms. Centofanti stating:

"We do have significant challenges in both the water and housing infrastructure — with the new leader, we clearly said that we would take time to review our policy platform carefully and responsibly, and in doing so that is one policy that we will not be continuing."

Transparency Concerns Raised

Koutsantonis questioned why the abandonment of a nearly half-a-billion-dollar policy was not publicly announced, noting it was still advertised on the Liberal Party website. He stated, "Why is it me announcing their policies publicly?"

Liberal Party Confirms "Hard Decision"

Shadow Treasurer Ben Hood MLC responded to the allegations, stating that Ms. Centofanti was asked about the water bill hikes, which he described as a "Labor tax on SA Water bills."

Mr. Hood confirmed the party had made a "hard decision" to not reverse the tax, citing the state's growing debt under the Labor Government, which he put at "$49 billion." He added that the decision was made "a few weeks ago."