The South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) has formalised its mid-term report card on Premier Jay Weatherill’s administration – after InDaily this month revealed draft findings after a copy was inadvertently released by the Opposition.

The completed review finds the Government has delivered on most of its election promises but still needs to do more to support the disadvantaged and vulnerable in the community. It gives Labor five stars for implementing promised help to ease cost of living pressures but says it missed an opportunity to implement significant tax reform.

It further argues the administration needs to better fund the community services sector and take more action on law and justice, including the introduction of more diversionary courts for young people and more rehabilitation programs.

SACOSS said it was also disappointing that the Government continued to delay reforms to the child protection system while it waited on findings of a royal commission.

“Overall, the minimum the community expects from any government is that they keep their election promises, and this record is not bad on that score,” said SACOSS chief executive Ross Womersley.

“However, when we look at what needs to be done in key areas the record is patchier – good on cost of living support but limited in other areas.”

Womersley previously insisted the audit’s findings were not compromised by the agency sharing its draft contents with the State Opposition and seeking feedback, saying it had sought similar feedback from the Government and was “embracing a number of different views”.

MID-TERM REPORT:

COST OF LIVING RELIEF: 5 stars. SACOSS says the government has honoured its election promises with energy concessions, rebates and transport schemes.

TAXATION: 4 stars. SACOSS says the government conducted a promised review of taxation but few reforms were introduced. It still wants a shift to a land tax and the introduction of an inheritance tax.

LAW AND JUSTICE: 2.5 stars. The government is reviewing sentencing laws but needs to do more to keep people out of the state’s overflowing prisons with extra rehabilitation programs and diversionary courts.

COMMUNITY SERVICES: 3 stars. Community service organisations remain underfunded within a system that is onerous, piecemeal and short-sighted, SACOSS says.

CHILD PROTECTION: 1.5 stars. SACOSS says the government shouldn’t be waiting for the findings of a royal commission on child protection before introducing reforms.

-with AAP