REDUCATIONS in cost-of-living pressures for South Australians must be Labor's priority in Thursday's State Budget, including additional investment in cyber and defence industries to further futureproof SA.
The Opposition is also calling on the Malinauskas Labor Government to show transparency by committing to clearly defining the impacts of the efficiency dividend on non-quarantined departments like Environment and Primary Industries.
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That means cuts - if any - to departments must be outlined in respect to service delivery allowing South Australians to understand the full impact of Treasurer Stephen Mullighan's decisions.
Opposition treasury spokesperson Matt Cowdrey said cost of living pressures were being felt by many.
"The former Liberal Government worked hard to deliver hundreds of dollars in savings for household electricity bills and water bills a year and South Australians were $1092 better off a year with huge reductions in other costs," he said.
"We're calling on Stephen Mullighan to guarantee the crucial reduced costs and record-low Emergency Services Levy achieved by the former Liberal Government will continue.
"South Australians need to be to able bank on these costs remaining low going forward in these uncertain times."
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Opposition finance spokesperson Heidi Girolamo said key economy driving industries must also be strengthened further.
"The proof is in the pudding and South Australian businesses triumphed against the challenges brought on by COVID-19 with exports totalling a record $13.7 billion for the 12 months to March 2022," she said.
"Labor didn't take a single trade and export policy to the election. Stephen Mullighan needs to prove his faith in our exporters and invest in trade offices to allow SA businesses to export more products and services around the world while creating new local jobs.
"And now more than ever we realise the need for strong investment in cyber and defence industries to futureproof SA and ensure the state prospers in this changing geo-political climate."
