Premier Steven Marshall says he’ll ensure re-elected Coalition delivers on promises made to SA

Premier Steven Marshall says he’ll move quickly to ensure a returned Coalition Federal Government delivers on pledges for infrastructure upgrades in South Australia.

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Premier Steven Marshall says he’ll move quickly to ensure a returned Coalition Federal Government delivers on pledges for infrastructure upgrades in South Australia.

Speaking to The Advertiser on Sunday after a result which shocked pollsters and pundits, Mr Marshall said he had been confident for the entire campaign of a Coalition victory.

He said voters often responded to polls with an expression of dissatisfaction with politicians, but always backed strong economic fundamentals once in the polling booth.

“There is a big and gaping difference between polling and voting,” Mr Marshall said.

“Polling is used to send messages to parties, but voting is always done in the best interests of individuals and families.

“That’s exactly what we saw play out. Australia’s economy is strong, we’ve secured our borders, increased defence spending and returned the Budget forecast to surplus.

“These are the things that middle Australia care about.”

Mr Marshall said Bill Shorten blundered with a confusing policy platform of radical change that jarred with a sense of content around the country.

“Bill Shorten basically couldn’t have been trying to change more things,” Mr Marshall said. “There is hardly an Australian that he didn’t pick a fight with.”

SA Premier Steven Marshall and Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: Kym Smith

Despite the national defeat, local Labor strategists point to gains in the marginal seat of Boothby, and official figures showing a 4 per cent swing to the party in SA, as evidence of an effective local campaign.

However, the two-party result is complicated by independents and could change.

They also believe an anti-rail privatisation campaign in the final week of the campaign helped narrow the final result, achieving swings in booths close to public transport lines.

The national result means Mr Marshall will maintain a friendly Coalition Government in Canberra for the bulk of this term of State Parliament, before both are expected to again face the voters in early 2022.

Mr Marshall said the election was “a great result for SA, because we know that Scott Morrison in particular is a great friend of the state”.

He cited the Federal Government’s backing for the defence, space and other job-building industries as evidence and said more was to come with a package of regional road upgrades and level crossing removals that featured in the Federal Budget as well as plans to finish South Rd.

He also praised a policy to reduce required home loan deposits as a measure which will help more young people own their own home in SA.