Regional South Australia

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (15:57): I rise today to talk about a number of exciting initiatives that a future Malinauskas Labor government has to offer regional South Australia, if we are so fortunate as to be successful at the 2022 state election.

In contrast to those opposite, the Leader of the Opposition has led regular community shadow cabinet meetings across regional South Australia, from the Riverland to Whyalla, Port Augusta, Port Pirie and, of course, my home town of Mount Gambier. Labor's shadow cabinet have turned up and listened to countless regional residents over the last four years. However, by refusing to continue country cabinet meetings in government, the Marshall Liberal government has turned its back on valuable opportunities to engage directly with regional residents on a regular basis.

I was delighted to be joined in Mount Gambier recently by the Leader of the Opposition and the rest of our shadow cabinet. One of the announcements made was that a Malinauskas Labor government will appoint a cross-border commissioner, to be based in Mount Gambier. Labor would provide $2 million over four years to create the position that has long been advocated for by residents of the Limestone Coast.

This announcement means there would be a streamlined process for border communities and reduced red tape for residents and businesses. The commissioner would advocate for South Australian residents while also establishing a close working relationship with the Victorian Cross Border Commissioner.

While difficulties for cross-border communities have been highlighted during COVID, the case for a cross-border commissioner emerged well before that. Timber transportation matters, dual licensing requirements across different states for businesses that work in both, patients' access to medical treatment, children's education and transport to school are just some of the issues that could benefit from advocacy from a cross-border commissioner.

One of the reasons that regional residents are so supportive of this proposal is because of the lack of a direct line with the Adelaide city-centric government that we have at the moment. One example that we had recently was the addition to the Transition Committee to supposedly represent the regions on the committee; and where was that person based? Adelaide. Absolutely—Adelaide.

Our Labor candidate for Mount Gambier, Katherine Davies, joined the recent country shadow cabinet meeting in Mount Gambier when we announced that an elected Labor government would establish a technical college in Mount Gambier. It is important to note that this would be a separate entity from the other high schools that already exist and would directly address the severe regional skill shortages that the state is currently experiencing. There are excellent opportunities for well-paid careers in trades and there is high demand. By providing technical colleges for students with an interest and aptitude for these careers, we will be increasing the skills available in the regions.

I was also pleased to meet with LITA, the Logging Industry Training Association, whose scope goes beyond simply logging and training at the moment. They were also able to provide valuable insights into the needs of local industry and we discussed future potential opportunities in that space.

I know my colleague in the other place, the member for Elizabeth, spent some time when he was in the South-East speaking to residents about the ongoing saga of the Kalangadoo Police Station and when it will be reopened, as had been previously promised by the current government when they were in opposition. However, it is still closed 3½ years later. What did the Minister for Police say about it just today in parliament? I quote, 'It is one of the challenges of a global pandemic.' I have been to Kalangadoo many times and I really do not think they are going to be buying that sort of spin.

Just two weeks ago, I joined my Labor shadow colleagues in Port Augusta and Port Pirie to once again listen to residents about concerns that they had in their local communities. We were delighted to be joined by Andrew Wright, the extremely hardworking Labor candidate in Stuart when we announced that an elected Malinauskas Labor government will establish another of the five planned technical colleges in Port Augusta. We know there is a real skills shortage in our state, in particular in regional South Australia. Many of the roles needed require a vocational trade qualification and that is why we are proposing to invest so much into this area.

I also want to place on the record my thanks to Viterra for their time in providing me with a tour of their Port Pirie site, and also RDA Mid North for their time in providing me with a briefing on the key issues occurring in the region from their perspective. It is vital that there is a direct line between government and regional residents and businesses on a regular basis, which is why, if Labor is so fortunate as to be elected in March next year, country cabinets will resume. Regional residents should not be taken for granted. Regional residents deserve to be listened to.