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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-08-25 Daily Xml
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Regional Public Libraries Funding

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (15:40): I rise today to speak on behalf of my community about the impending cuts that are being made by the Marshall Liberal government to local libraries across the Limestone Coast and the rest of the state. We know that crisis talks are ongoing between the Local Government Association, the state government and libraries across South Australia as a result of the state government's proposal to effectively cut $6 million from libraries over the next five years.

We know that in the 2021-22 state budget funding for council libraries was frozen at $20.7 million per year in 2021-22 and for future years, despite the previous 10-year agreement including annual indexation. The Local Government Association predicts that this decision will result in $6 million less in funding for libraries across South Australia, including the Limestone Coast and the rest of regional South Australia.

I enjoy using my local library, the Port MacDonnell library in my home town, and it is an incredibly valuable asset to our local community. It is staffed with wonderful employees, such as Angela, Georgia, Sharron and Zoe. I know many people in Mount Gambier and Millicent equally value and use their libraries on a very regular basis.

Councils in these regions are already contributing funding to the ongoing operational costs of the libraries. Last year alone, the City of Mount Gambier contributed 10 per cent of its annual budget to the library, cultural centres and arts division of its budget. The Wattle Range Council contributed over $500,000 a year. These are significant figures, given the cost pressures facing regional councils, which often have a shrinking rates base but high demand for key services. Councils across the region are providing more than their fair share when it comes to funding libraries. All they are asking is for the state government to provide its fair share to ensure the ongoing viability in regional areas.

Libraries are more than just for borrowing books. They are so much more these days, particularly in regional locations. Regional libraries offer a place for residents to meet over a coffee and to catch up. They provide wi-fi access to the local community. They provide regional students with access to key information. They run youth programs, preschool programs and school holiday programs. They support seniors groups, local authors or new authors, and other groups, such as those promoting mental health. My local library also offers a range of government services, including Centrelink, and is used as a banking agency for local residents.

In parliament's estimates earlier this year, when the Premier was asked about these funding cuts, his response was astonishing. He said, 'I do not know how you arrived at that figure.' Well, it is the association that has arrived at that figure. How out of touch with our regions is this Premier that he is unaware of the cuts and the direct damage they will do to local regional communities. I urge the Premier to reconsider these cuts and give consideration to just how much they actually affect the local community on the Limestone Coast as well as in the rest of South Australia.

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