Premier Jay Weatherill promises $150 million for regions over a decade, rising with inflation, as Labor takes campaign to Outback

PREMIER Jay Weatherill has pledged a major cash boost for the regions, and launched a new campaign bus, as he takes the state election campaign outback on a road tour this week.

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PREMIER Jay Weatherill has pledged a major cash boost for the regions, and launched a campaign bus, as he takes the state election campaign Outback on a road trip this week.

Labor will commit to a $150 million regional development fund over the next decade if re-elected in March, with the kitty to rise in line with inflation.

Mr Weatherill said that would likely mean at least $165 million pumped into grow jobs and communities over the period. He said the fund had already created more than 3000 jobs in industries including farming, and built new infrastructure like solar desalination, after being boosted under the 2014 deal with independent MP Geoff Brock for minority government.

Jay Weatherill’s press conference with the new tour bus. Picture: Dylan Coker

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall in December pledged a $150 million regional growth fund over a decade to “facilitate new economic opportunities” and “empower local communities”.

Mr Weatherill will this week visit major regional centres including Clare, Port Pirie, Quorn, Port Augusta, Whyalla, Tumby Bay and Port Lincoln before returning to Adelaide on Friday.

It comes as the new third force in state politics, former senator Nick Xenophon’s SA Best looms as a country seat threat to both parties in locations including Whyalla and the Riverland.

Mr Weatherill kicked off the tour yesterday by unveiling the “Jay bus”, echoing a tactic of Federal Labor Leader Bill Shorten during the 2016 national election campaign. The bus is emblazoned with Labor’s key campaign messages on jobs, health, education and renewables. “The campaign bus is the way in which we’re going to take our messages across the length and breadth of SA,” Mr Weatherill said. “We’re going to be focusing our efforts on jobs.

“This has been an extraordinary term for achievements on jobs in the regions. Our plan is working. “The evidence is there for everybody to see.”

Labor’s campaign bus on Hackney Rd. Picture: Dylan Coker

The Liberals have also pledged a royalties for regions scheme that returns 30 per cent of mining cash to a roads and infrastructure fund worth an estimated $750 million over a decade. Labor says it spends much more in those areas under other programs.

SA Best Upper House candidate and Port Augusta Mayor Sam Johnson said sealing the Strzelecki Track in the Far North must be a key priority.

“The Strzelecki Track is a vital part of national infrastructure, linking the oil and gas fields in the Cooper Basin, and an essential corridor for outback communities, pastoralists and tourists,” he said. “It is a no-brainer that sealing it would bring enormous economic potential.”

The State Government has previously floated the project, to bitumenise 500km of road between Lyndhurst and Queensland, but said private funding should be part of the plan.

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