Leaders in Adelaide: Bill Shorten attacks Liberal climate change inaction; Scott Morrison talks up state/federal connection

Labor leader Bill Shorten will intensify his attacks on what he describes as the Liberals’ inaction on climate change, as both leaders visit South Australia ahead of Saturday’s election.

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Labor leader Bill Shorten will intensify his attacks on what he describes as the Liberals’ inaction on climate change as he visits South Australia ahead of Saturday’s election.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will also come to Adelaide on Tuesday, where he will talk up the strong relationship between the state and federal governments.

Despite SA being the last place in the country expected to determine Saturday’s election result, both leaders will be in the state’s most marginal seat of Boothby.

Labor started high rotation advertisements on prime time television in South Australia, Victoria and NSW last night, targeting the Coalition’s position on climate change.

The party sees it as the “quiet achiever” issue of the campaign, with focus group research showing that climate change was linked by voters to disunity in the Coalition.

Labor also believes it is the “new gay marriage” – an issue where the general population has left the Coalition behind.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten visiting St Joseph's Catholic College this week. Picture: Kym Smith

Opposition climate change spokesman Mark Butler told The Advertiser the issue had clearly struck a nerve with local voters.

“There is a real sense that we cannot let this issue go and this Government has dropped the ball on the issue,” Mr Butler said.

“People think it is real, they think it is important and they think Canberra is not doing enough about it. There is just a sense of frustration.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison campaigning in Perth, where he received a birthday cake. Picture: Gary Ramage

Mr Morrison is expected to join Liberal MP Nicolle Flint in Boothby, where the pair will advocate the strong state-federal relationship.

Infrastructure is expected to be a key focus after the Coalition announced a raft of funding for “congestion busting infrastructure” to address key bottlenecks in the Federal Budget.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Michael McCormack yesterday announced an additional $64 million for the duplication of the Augusta Highway between Port Wakefield through to Port Augusta.

The duplication had been on the election wishlists of Business SA and motoring advocacy body, the RAA.

Both have argued dual lane access to SA’s most northern city needed the investment given the high volumes of traffic, as well as to cope with anticipated growth and developments in the Upper Spencer Gulf area.

Liberal Grey MP Rowan Ramsay said the duplication would make the road safer and faster helping to enable northern SA to reach its full potential.

 

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