Scorecard: How did the Liberals fare in 2019?
We’re heading to halftime in State Parliament, as the last election vanishes in the rearview and the next one approaches on the horizon. Which Liberals are pulling their weight and who are just dragging the chain?
Opinion
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We’re heading to halftime in State Parliament, as the last election vanishes in the rearview and the next one approaches on the horizon.
State Political Editor Daniel Wills separates the players who are pulling their weight from those who are just dragging the chain.
LIBERALS
Steven Marshall (Premier) – 7
Began the year with a bang after adding the national space agency’s mission control to an earlier pledge for Adelaide to host the HQ, and build hype around hi-tech industries to launch from his pet project at Lot Fourteen.
A solid relationship with Canberra also unlocked significant pledges on road building, but faces a big test as the subs maintenance decision looms.
Has managed significant internal divisions over land tax and mining, while preventing it from becoming a threat on his own leadership.
But business confidence and jobs remain stubbornly fragile, so needs measurable wins in the new year to sharpen a “reform” story. Scandal free and adequately competent, the Government’s electoral position remains healthy.
Vickie Chapman (Attorney-General) – 7.5
Emerged from a cloud of doubt when police dropped an investigation into a possible breach of ICAC secrecy laws, and moved on to progress several significant reforms.
The state is set to get a new court of appeal, a crackdown on domestic violence has already sent one thug to prison for a new offence of choking as a new transparency push begins on suppression orders and FOI.
For good or bad, SA poker machines will now also be able to take notes in SA and Ms Chapman has emerged as a pragmatic progressive leader on thorny issues of abortion and prostitution.
After so long in Opposition, isn’t wasting this chance to get something done.
Rob Lucas (Treasurer) – 6
Paid a heavy price in time and ultimately to end the land tax battle which consumed half the year and created an at times bitter split in the party room and with supporters.
A rock-solid authority he held as the Liberal elder statesman is now being questioned. Nonetheless, kept the State Budget in the black despite big drops in GST and property taxes and has the upper hand in pay negotiations and political battles with the public sector unions.
Is retiring in 2022, which means speculation will grow over the next 12 months about when he leaves Cabinet.
John Gardner (Education) – 6.5
Pushing on with a massive program of building upgrades needed to get Year 7 into high school and has been an indispensable asset to Mr Marshall as chief tactician in Parliament.
New breakfast and anti-drug programs are practical interventions to help student outcomes.
However, the fury that was unleashed by a poorly-explained Adelaide High rezone was a major black mark that many of the affected parents are unlikely to ever forgive.
David Ridgway (Tourism) – 4
The ‘Old Mate’ campaign that he continues to defend has become an embarrassment, and key industry stakeholders are beginning to lose confidence. Plus, the overall performance of a sector that Mr Marshall’s identified as essential remains lukewarm. Has gained a reputation as gaffe-prone in Question Time and is considered vulnerable when a reshuffle comes.
Michelle Lensink (Human Services) – 6.5
A safe pair of hands who ended the year with the announcement of a huge new housing package.
Has also been central in the push for tougher domestic violence penalties, and a groundbreaking new trial that would force offenders rather than victims from their homes.
David Pisoni (Skills) – 5
Keeping a low profile in a key area that will be critical to the state’s ability to get full value from defence contracts. While a big training program is still in the ramp up phase, there have been some credible warnings that ambitious targets may not be reached.
Stephen Wade (Health) – 6.5
Has an immense amount of work still to be done as ongoing ambulance ramping and major concerns around corruption plague the system.
However, in a portfolio where it always feels like everything is going wrong all the time, has pushed forward with popular plans to reopen the Repat and is getting chronically wasteful spending under some control.
But handling of the ICAC report on feared corruption has undermined public confidence he has what it takes to fix the system.
Dan van Holst Pellekaan (Energy) – 5
He has one job — get the power prices down.
While there has been some progress, it has been too slow.
A major decision on the NSW interconnector due soon will be critical. Reforms to the mining sector passed, but not without an unnecessary breakout of disunity.
Rachel Sanderson (Child Protection) – 5
The massive scandals in the portfolio which dominated Labor’s final days are a thing of the past. However, key indicators like the number of children in care have not been turned around and there continue to be an unacceptably high number of distress calls unanswered.
Tim Whetstone (Agriculture) – 5
Had the courage to take on the issue of genetically modified crops, but lacked the ability to get it through the Parliament. High marks for effort, very few for execution.
Corey Wingard (Police) – 5
Improved from a poor performance in his debut year to become a reliable soldier in the emergency portfolios. In sport, secured a racing industry support package and extricated the Government from a pricey Commonwealth Games bid with minimal political backlash.
David Speirs (Environment) – 6
Opening up reservoirs for recreation and fishing is a massive winner that cuts through with people who otherwise hate politics. The desal deal to bailout drought-hit farmers has also been a well-received practical move. But a backflip on sand carting and withering Royal Commission’s criticism of his Murray negotiations were embarrassing setbacks.
Stephan Knoll (Transport) – 7
High profile and has bitten off big reforms like the privatisation of tram and train services, while investigating tunnelling under South Rd.
Has opened the tap in Canberra as roads and infrastructure money begins to flow, but lost a bid to get council rate capping plans through. After a year of announcements and preparations, rubber has to hit the road in 2020.