The Advertiser Editorial, March 16, 2018: Time is right for a change in direction

TOMORROW, South Australian voters are faced with three key choices.

• State election 2018 HQ: Latest news, analysis, maps and videos

TOMORROW, South Australian voters are faced with three key choices.

These are: extending Labor’s term in office to 20 years; lodging a protest vote against the established system and backing Nick Xenophon’s SA Best; or voting for change led by the Liberals.

Since securing minority government in 2002, Labor has done much for SA. There has been a remarkable and historic redevelopment of Adelaide’s CBD and Torrens Riverbank, the much-loved Adelaide Oval upgrade, a $2.3 billion new Royal Adelaide Hospital, defence and technology investment, and a noble fight to save the River Murray.

But, in more recent times, Labor has fallen short on some basic governance issues, thereby creating a climate for change. The Oakden aged care scandal spanned most of Labor’s time in office and, without doubt, ministers should have taken more responsibility.

Labor has overseen a serious failure of the TAFE system. If any party should be ashamed of compromising workers’ vocational training, it is Labor.

Key major party leaders Nick Xenophon (SA Best), Jay Weatherill (Labor) and Steven Marshall (Liberals) shake hands at the final election debate on Wednesday night.

After a costly statewide blackout in 2016, Labor scurried to craft a credible energy plan.

It will point proudly to its 75 per cent renewable energy target and its engagement of Elon Musk to build the world’s biggest battery. However, as it stands, the community and business are still struggling with high energy costs; often the foremost issue for The Advertiser’s readers.

Labor is by no means a shambles. Regardless of tomorrow’s election result, Mr Weatherill will be remembered as one of the most resilient, creative and formidabIe politicians of his era. But, after 16 long years, it would do well to spend some time in opposition.

For all the hoopla, SA Best leader Nick Xenophon’s role as a watchdog must not be overstated. Mr Xenophon flirted with the outlandish notion of becoming premier but, in reality, wants to hold a handful of seats and, with this, the balance of power. So voters need to understand that a vote for SA Best is a vote for oversight, not directly implementing policy.

The Steven Marshall-led Liberals are in the box seat, given a favourable electoral redistribution. This election is theirs to lose.

Mr Marshall’s leadership capacity has attracted criticism and nervousness, but he has overseen a largely unified party. He has relied on highlighting Labor’s failures and presenting a safe alternative for change, rather than painting a convincing and bold vision for the state.

Broadly, the Liberals’ policy aims centre on lowering costs, for business and households, to create jobs and generate investment.

Now is the time for Mr Marshall to emerge from the apprenticeship of Christopher Pyne and John Howard, in particular, and display his authority as leader of the party and the state.

There are reasons to be optimistic about economic growth after years — even decades — of genteel decline, particularly compared to the rest of the nation. But no clear strategy has emerged to increase population growth, nor to stop the exodus of our young talent to the eastern seaboard or overseas. These must be Mr Marshall’s first ports of call.

He is confident of governing in his own right. But, if forced to rely on SA Best, Mr Marshall’s premiership would be forever built on a falsehood — that he would not do a deal with Mr Xenophon.

After 16 years of Labor, the time is right for change.

Today, because of Labor’s shortcomings, The Advertiser endorses the Liberals to form the next State Government.