Old RAH: Liberal Government would appoint chief entrepreneur to oversee start-up business, innovation hub

SOUTH Australia would appoint a chief entrepreneur to oversee an innovation and start-up business hub at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital, under Liberal plan for jobs and investment.

The entry to the old RAH on North Terrace.

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SOUTH Australia would appoint a “chief entrepreneur” to oversee creation of an innovation and start-up business hub in a historic corner of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital, under a plan Opposition Leader Steven Marshall says will drive jobs.

Parts of the 7ha old RAH site are in the midst of demolition, after the State Government completed its shift to the $2.3 billion new building in September.

Labor has already pledged plans for a tech hub focused on selected industries including artificial intelligence and energy.

Mr Marshall told The Advertiser his full vision for the site would be revealed in coming weeks, but it would include the anchor of a start-up hub in the southwestern corner.

He said the Liberal plan was a dramatic departure from Labor’s, and having the precinct overseen by a chief entrepreneur at arm’s length from the government was the best way to ensure the site became a place for true job creation rather than a factory for “press releases”. “The old RAH site is the most incredible opportunity for a city like Adelaide,” Mr Marshall said.

“The Liberal Party has an ambition to make Adelaide the start-up capital of the nation.

“Successful hubs around the world move away from ‘siloed’ buildings dedicated to individual areas of speciality,” he said.

“We want to have the gamers and the coders and the crypto people and the tech start-ups and the creative industries all co-located and collaborating.”

He said it was critical that the plan for a physical innovation hub be matched with a start-up “ecosystem” that included slashing payroll tax and regulation for small business.

It would also include a packed agenda of business and cultural events at the old RAH to regularly bring creative people and entrepreneurs together for collaboration.

“We will start this immediately, with the adaptive reuse of the southwestern corner of the old RAH site,” he said.

“This will be a priority for the first 100 days of a Liberal government. We would hit the ground running, recruiting the board and chief entrepreneur.”

He said the amount of site taken up for start-ups could expand based on industry demand.

Mr Marshall said “phase one” of the plan would get $27 million in taxpayer cash over four years, including construction costs and developing support for the chief entrepreneur.

Mr Marshall visited Brighton Surf Life Saving Club with deputy federal Liberal leader Julie Bishop on Sunday to announce a policy to give volunteers free background screening checks.

Policy police

What: Liberals want a start-up business and innovation hub at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital.

How: $27 million for building and investment, managed at arm’s length of government.

Pub test: Model has been successful elsewhere, but proof for SA would be in the pudding.

Other proposals for the former Royal Adelaide Hospital site:

An artificial intelligence institute

Accommodation for Fringe artists

An urban landscape for military drills

Not this $1 billion apartment deal

Secret plan for contemporary art gallery at old RAH