Labor MP Annabel Digance to close Glenelg McDonald’s, and take over one in Alice Springs
AN Adelaide McDonald’s franchise owned by a Labor MP is going out of business as the family prepares to shift operations over the border to the NT.
A PREMIER Adelaide McDonald’s franchise owned by a Labor MP is going out of business as the family prepares to relocate its operations across the border to the Northern Territory.
Staff at the Glenelg McDonald’s, located in busy seaside commercial district of Jetty Rd, have been informed in recent days that the store’s closure is imminent and may occur within days.
The franchise is owned by Labor MP Annabel Digance, elected to State Parliament in March, and her husband Greg through their interests in the company Gaage Pty Ltd.
The company is listed on Ms Digance’s register of interests as an income source and Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents record her as a direct shareholder.
Ms Digance declined to comment when contacted by The Advertiser but a McDonald’s spokesman confirmed in a statement that the Moseley Square store was preparing to close.
“After a number of years serving the Glenelg area, McDonald’s licensee, Greg Digance, is moving interstate to take over the Alice Springs restaurant,” the spokesman said.
“All crew people have been offered positions at nearby restaurants.”
Ms Digance won the marginal inner-southern suburbs seat of Elder, based on Ascott and Mitchell parks, after twice running unsuccessfully for the nearby federal seat of Boothby.
Her connections to small business have been used as major selling point during political campaigning.
During her maiden speech to State Parliament in May, Ms Digance said her background in the sector meant she understood “the highs and lows of what it can mean to be in business”.
Ms Digance went on to endorse Premier Jay Weatherill’s plans for “a renewed model of how small business and government will work together to further progress our state’s economy”.
“As the local member, I will continue my conversations with businesspeople in my area to ensure that we, in Elder, play our part,” Ms Digance told Parliament.
Opposition employment spokesman David Pisoni said the move was a vote of no-confidence in the state economy as Ms Digance relocated her business to a more business friendly jurisdiction.
“We are in the middle of a dangerous jobs crisis in South Australia, and to have Labor’s own MPs walk away from doing business in the state is pretty telling,” he said.
“Labor have no plan to help small businesses create jobs, and unfortunately this is just one more example of businesses closing up shop in SA.’’