Grievance Debate

Regional South Australia

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (15:03): Our regions contribute more than $20 billion to our state's economy and produce more than 50 per cent of overseas exports with just 30 per cent of the state's population. This week marks the two-year anniversary of the agreement between the member for Frome and the Labor state government, commonly referred to as the 'Brockument'. Yet the reality for many South Australians is that things have not improved. There is higher employment, especially youth, longer waiting times for medical services, particularly dental, and a general decline in services. It is clear that prior to the balance of power scenario the Labor government had no interest in regional South Australia whatsoever.

Does anyone remember when the Premier was in Frome just four weeks out from the state election and had no idea who the Labor candidate was? By the way, his name was Marcus Connelly. I wonder what he is doing now. A flaw in our electoral system is that the marginal seats are the only focus for this current government. This diverts energy, resources and opportunities from where they could have the greatest impact for the state's better good. That is why I am in favour of a top-up system where every vote counts, no matter which electorate it comes from.

If you went to the Labor document which they keep talking about called Let's Keep Building South Australia, promoted by all and sundry before the election and carried under their arm, and looked at the section 'Let's keep building strong regions', you would be mightily disappointed. For an area that generates $20 billion, it contained four pages in total. One page is entirely taken up with a photograph of a cow. The rest of it could be compiled on one of the pages, there are so many photos in there; in fact, there are more photos in there than I have seen in some wedding albums. I feel sorry for the poor Labor staffer who had to put that section together.

A couple of points here from that section that have not been done include relocating city health jobs into the country and upgrading the Strzelecki Track. Apart from that, the rest was very light in detail. The Liberal commitment prior to the election has largely been copied in the 'Brockument'; however, a few have not and it is here I think more work needs to be done, and I draw the attention of the member for Frome to this over the next two years.

First, the establishment of Infrastructure SA. South Australia does not have a comprehensive, long-range infrastructure plan. Can anyone honestly say, with rising unemployment in South Australia, particularly youth unemployment, that the O-Bahn extension is seriously the highest priority project for this state? Sure, the argument will be given that it creates jobs during the construction phase, but almost any $160 million project will do that. What I am talking about is the ongoing impact major projects can have on job creation in the post-construction phase. Investments like Arrium should be seriously considered going forward.

Another policy that the government can copy from our 2014 election commitment is the community infrastructure fund: a $50 million community infrastructure fund which has the potential to unlock $500 million in local infrastructure across the state. A similar $100 million scheme in New South Wales has claimed to have leveraged $1 billion in infrastructure investment in local areas. It is vital that we invest in our regional communities, develop the infrastructure and grow their capabilities as a foundation for future jobs and economic growth.

The Weatherill Labor government has neglected regional South Australia for 12 years and paid lip service to it in the last two. In fact, sitting on this side of the chamber are the members for Chaffey, Finniss, Flinders, Goyder, Hammond, Heysen, Kavel, Mackillop, Mount Gambler, Schubert, Stuart and Davenport who all have a regional focus and who all contribute to policy discussions which look at regional South Australia as an integral part of this state and not just an add-on.

The state Liberals understand the importance of supporting our regions to grow our state's economy. Only a Marshall Liberal government will have better regional priorities to put our state back on track, and I encourage the member for Frome and the Minister for Regional Development to get on board and assist us in that.