Libs leader hits out at false economy'

State Opposition leader Steve Marshall lunched with former Federal Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull and federal MP Jamie Briggs. Picture: Dylan Coker Source: adelaidenow

OPPOSITION Leader Steven Marshall will draw a stark contrast with the State Government in a speech to party faithful today, attacking Labor's infrastructure program as a "false economy" built on debt.

Mr Marshall will address the Liberal Party state council as part of a profile-raising blitz since he became leader three weeks ago, saying he and Premier Jay Weatherill "have nothing in common".

In a copy of the speech released to The Advertiser, Mr Marshall says the philosophical positions of his party and the Government "couldn't be more different".

"We have seen Labor point to the cranes on the skyline and pat itself on the back for a job well done, but every single time it fails to see the simple truth that we're borrowing money to pay for them," he says.

"We're also borrowing money to pay the wages of the guys operating them. And once the contract's completed, the jobs are gone. That ... is a false economy. Year 11 economic students work that out."

Mr Marshall will restate his desire to encourage small business, but the speech does not contain new policies.

In Parliament this week, Mr Weatherill attempted to frame the choice confronting voters next year.

Off the back of a victory over small bar legislation, Mr Weatherill claimed the Liberals stood for the "status quo" and "established interests", while opposing "progressive" policies.

Mr Marshall yesterday announced plans to fine the public service if it was late paying bills to business.

In the past financial year, $919 million of government payments were late. It is more than double the $410 million paid late in 2007-08. The education and health departments were the worst performers.

Mr Marshall said he would institute automatic penalties for any contract worth up to $1 million, where the amount has been outstanding for more than 60 days and there was no dispute over the matter.

The policy is uncosted and the fines would be paid from the budget of the responsible department.

Finance Minister Michael O'Brien said the Government would next month launch a website for business to track invoices to government agencies.

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