Calls for tolls on a costly major road project have been rejected by a state treasurer facing more than $50 billion in debt, saying the projected figure is "not a lot".
A day after he delivered South Australia's state budget, Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis dismissed opposition criticism of forecasts that showed state net debt would reach $53.6 billion by mid-2030.
Work is continuing on the $15.4 billion Torrens to Darlington tunnel project, which will complete Adelaide's north-south corridor link, and the new Women's and Children's Hospital, which has a $3.2 billion budget widely expected to require extra funding.
"My question to the political opposition is … which project do we cancel?" Mr Koutsantonis said.
He rejected calls to impose tolls on the new route, saying the government had "no mandate" and "no permission" from the public.
