Colin James: Wouldn’t it be good if money was spent where it was most needed, not where votes need to be bought

Tens of millions of dollars worth of promises went into getting Nicolle Flint re-elected but vote-buying pollies force our really needy communities to go without, writes Colin James

• Libs promise $20m for Old Belair Rd intersection
• Flint pledges $35m for Springbank Rd fix
• Liberals promise $5 million for Max Amber Sportsfield upgrade

Councils are in the process of setting their rates, with most aiming for modest increases while others have gone higher as they try to balance the books.

Some Adelaide councils have been given a considerable financial boost thanks to the federal election. Others, especially in areas with safe seats, are looking to increase their borrowings to maintain services and capital spending.

Mitcham, Unley and Marion councils have come out as the biggest winners from the Liberals’ election victory, with tens of millions promised by Nicolle Flint as she successfully fought to keep the state’s most marginal seat of Boothby.

While there were some big ticket items like $60 million to fix a Springbank Rd intersection, Flint also pledged – among other things – $5 million for the Mitchell Park Sports and Community Club, $3 million for Carrick Hill House and $750,000 for the Wittunga Botanic Garden at Blackwood.

Similarly, Campbelltown Council picked up a handy $5 million from James Stevens to upgrade an Athelstone sports ground as he replaced veteran Liberal MP Christopher Pyne in the blue-ribbon seat of Sturt.

The promises obviously couldn’t be included in the councils’ draft budgets but, with the Liberals resuming power in Canberra, the money is virtually in the bank.

Boothby MP Nicolle Flint’s campaign saw tens of millions promised for her marginal seats, just as Premier Steven Marshall’s government’s first budget appeared to reward strategically important Liberal electorates. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

Not so fortunate have been those councils in areas where there was no pork-barrelling, particularly Playford Council in the north, Port Adelaide Enfield to the west and Onkaparinga in the south – all relatively safe Labor areas.

While northern Labor MP Nick Champion offered $5 million for a sports complex project at Elizabeth and southern colleague Amanda Rishworth promised millions for a coastal path and hospital upgrade, the Liberals promised nothing.

In fact, their candidates were rarely seen at community events or on the streets doorknocking. Such is the situation in ultra-safe seats where there is little point spending money if you hold them – and not much sense if you don’t.

While Labor held power on North Tce for 16 years, it was not too loose with cash further south or north of Adelaide unless it was absolutely necessary. As the areas rapidly expanded with urban sprawl, spending on critical infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, schools and public transport became unavoidable.

The State Liberals have just ended their first full year in power since 2002. In their first Budget last September, they didn’t bother throwing money at safe Labor seats because they were acutely aware they will never win them. Instead, they focused on where they need to shore up votes, the new northeastern seat of King – born from redrawn boundaries – being a prime example.

Treasurer Rob Lucas approved millions for projects in Golden Grove, the power base for Liberal newcomer Paula Luethen, who won King by only 357 votes.

Some of the money has started to trickle through to Tea Tree Gully Council, which has spent several years avoiding major capital projects while cutting costs and being frugal.

With another State Budget due on June 18, few people within council chambers up north or down south are holding their breath about big projects being announced by Mr Lucas. Last year, the only major commitments in the northern suburbs were for projects promised by Labor such as the Adelaide-Gawler rail electrification, a super school at Munno Para and new state soccer park at Gepps Cross.

There is much more needed up north, out west and down south. Road upgrades, sports grounds, community clubrooms, walking trails, playgrounds, street lighting, sewage. It is a long list. But funding and grants are often hard to secure, especially if there is little political capital.

The result is councils like Playford, Port Adelaide Enfield and Onkaparinga increasingly are being left to pay for basic infrastructure, adding to already high levels of debt – as their budgets released for community consultation show.

Wouldn’t it be refreshing if money started to be spent where it was most needed. Not where votes have to be bought to win seats.

Colin James is chief reporter at Messenger Community News