Premier Jay Weatherill pledges $39 million for region after forming minority government with Geoff Brock
PREMIER Jay Weatherill has released details of his agreement with kingmaker independent Geoff Brock and pledged $39 million for regional development.
PREMIER Jay Weatherill has released details of his agreement with kingmaker independent Geoff Brock and pledged $39 million for regional development.
The funding includes $13.4 million a year to boost the regional development fund to $15 million and a one-off $10 million to create a jobs accelerator fund, quarantined for the regions.
Mr Weatherill released five documents agreed to with Mr Brock in negotiations to secure his support for a minority Labor government.
They include charters on small business and regional policy and outline Mr Brock’s role and responsibilities in the Labor Cabinet.
The documents also state the Government will:
ESTABLISH a Select Committee into conduct during election campaigns.
CREATE a Parliamentary Budget Advisory Service which would confidentially cost policies in the lead-up to an election.
INTRODUCE a parliamentary code of conduct for all MPs.
The agreement released today states the election result “indicates that the Government must re-establish confidence” in the small business and regional communities.
The Liberal Party promised during the election campaign to increase the regional development fund to $15 million a year.
It is understood the Liberals put a document listing relevant policies to Mr Brock during its negotiations with the independent before he sided with Labor.
The Opposition has questioned how Mr Weatherill will pay for the new pledges announced today.
Mr Weatherill said the commitments involved existing, new and “redirected” Budget allocations.
The Premier also revealed he had given Mr Brock a letter regarding arrangements for the upgrade of the Port Pirie Nyrstar lead smelter but would not release it, saying it included commercially confidential information.
At a later press conference, Mr Brock said he would not comment on the Nyrstar upgrade because he did not want it to become a “political football".
He also said he would support the Government to introduce a controversial $750 a year car park levy because it was a money Bill.
According to the agreement with the government, Mr Brock can choose not to support the government on issues relating directly to his Mid-North electorate of Frome, small business and regional communities and conscience issues, which could include gay marriage or euthanasia.
Mr Brock is not allowed to criticise, comment on or disclose government policy with which he disagrees until it is publicly announced by the Government.
He is bound by the same Cabinet secrecy rules as other ministers.
The former Mayor can vote against Government legislation as long as he gives the Premier prior notice, except on issues of money and confidence in the Government.
Mr Brock can move a no-confidence motion in the Government but Mr Weatherill said that would have to be over “very serious” issues such as corruption or law breaking.
The agreement between the pair stipulates that they will meet every week while Parliament is sitting and every fortnight during the breaks.
In negotiations to secure Mr Brock’s support, Mr Weatherill promised to:
HOLD three Community Cabinet meetings and one parliamentary forum in a regional area a year.
REQUIRE at least one Minister to spend a day each week in a regional area.
CREATE a new Regional Development Projects Taskforce with access to the new jobs fund.
REVIEW the pensioner concession on council rates but not to introduce a cap on local council rates.
The agreement commits Labor to projects in the electorate of Frome including upgrades to roads, boat ramp facilities, the Port Pirie golf course.
Mr Weatherill could not give the total cost of projects pledged in Frome.
He confirmed the next Budget would be delivered by new Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis in June and Parliament would resume on May 6.
At the 2018 election, Mr Weatherill said a Parliamentary Budget Advisory Service would be available to confidentially cost party policies.
A list of all policies submitted for costing would be published four days before the election but all advice would remain confidential.
If a policy was not publicly revealed by a party it would not be released by the advisory service.
If a party does not submit their policy to the body for costing it must say so when the policy is released publicly.
A committee examining electoral laws and the conduct of candidates in elections would have a particular focus on the ability of the Electoral Commissioner to enforce rulings on breaches.
On a code of conduct for MPs, the government agreement states “there is a justified concern in the community about the standards of parliamentary conduct”.
Mr Weatherill said the code would be influenced by suggestions put forward last year by independent MP for Fisher Bob Such, who is on sick leave from Parliament while he recovers from an operation.
Dr Such has previously suggested a code of conduct should include declaring conflicts of interest, maintaining public trust, not promoting any matter in return for any financial benefit and not using information which is not in the public domain for private benefit.
Earlier today, Leader Steven Marshall was re-elected unopposed in a Liberal party room meeting today.
His deputy Vickie Chapman was also endorsed without a ballot.
Manager of Opposition Business John Gardner said the joint party room was “discussing a number of things” after its election loss.
Analysis: Cabinet reshuffle the start of Jay Weatherill’s reinvented Labor
Both Upper House Opposition Leader David Ridgway and his deputy Michelle Lensink are expected to be returned in a vote later today.
Labor also is holding its first Cabinet meeting following the election this morning.
Premier Jay Weatherill welcomed independent kingmaker Geoff Brock to the Cabinet table.
Mr Brock said he was confident he would “have a say” in deliberations and would remain independent.
Mr Weatherill told his ministers the public wanted Labor to be “bold” and they must deliver on that expectation.
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