State Opposition releases first election advertisement, promising to ‘make South Australia strong’

THE State Opposition is promising to “make South Australia strong” in its first election television advertisement, which hit the airwaves on Sunday. What do you think?

THE State Opposition is promising to “make South Australia strong” in its first election television advertisement, which hit the airwaves on Sunday.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall appears in the commercial with a selection of sitting Liberal MPs and new candidates.

Mr Marshall tells voters, who will go to the polls on March 17 next year, that “it’s time for change”.

He says they “have the choice between more of the same, or a real plan to make South Australia strong”.

Mr Marshall lists five priorities for a prospective Liberal Government; creating jobs, easing cost of living pressures, boosting investment, reducing power prices and delivering frontline services.

The advertisements began airing on Sunday afternoon.

Political analyst Dean Jaensch described the “South Australia strong” slogan as “sensible” but not one “that grabs you”.

“It’s about time the Liberals started taking the front foot. Up to now, the Liberal Party has been reacting too much,” he said. However, Professor Jaensch questioned the timing of the release of the ad.

“Is anything going to resonate with the voters at the moment, with the Ashes and Christmas coming up? Are voters even thinking about politics?” he said.

Liberal Party state director Sascha Meldrum said it had filmed the TV advertisement “to reach a large South Australian audience in order to reinforce our plan”.

“After 16 years of Labor, it will be critically important to remind South Australian voters by every means possible that it is time for change,” she said.

It comes amid a series of radio advertisements aired by Labor which attack Mr Marshall. They focus on his energy policy and business history and highlight previous gaffes including urging people to “vote Labor”.