Marshall faces tough balancing act as he considers cancelling US trade trip amid coronavirus panic

Premier Steven Marshall won’t be joining the panicked throngs bulk-buying toilet paper. His approach to the coronavirus issue says a lot about his style as a leader, writes our political editor.

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It was subtle – but it was important.

News and social media sites were awash with footage from a Sydney supermarket where three women appear to be fighting over a trolley full of toilet rolls.

It looked like a scene from a Hollywood film documenting the End of Days.

Instead, it was a sign of the times as anxiety grows about COVID-19.

At a press conference, to celebrate the opening of Adelaide’s largest road project, Premier Stephen Marshall was asked if he had a stockpile of toilet rolls at home.

“I think people are feeling anxious and they’re thinking ‘I need to take action’,” Mr Marshall said.

“But I’m not buying into the panic. What I’m doing is working through every plausible scenario and making sure we, in South Australia, are as prepared as we possibly can be.”

It was a strong statement from a leader who is often criticised for his softly-softly approach.

This is a premier who is never going to gatecrash a press conference of the Federal Treasurer of the day, like we saw former premier Jay Weatherill do.

He is not a premier that seeks front page headlines via bold statements day in day out.

But Mr Marshall’s typically nonchalant response spoke volumes.

He has a delicate balancing act on his hands.

One week the State Government is pushing legislation through parliament that makes it easier for police to detain people suspected of having, or being at risk of contracting, COVID-19.

The next week Mr Marshall has to make a decision on whether it is appropriate to leave the state amid the health crisis for a trade mission to the US.

For every South Australian that has serious concerns about the impact of coronavirus, there is another that believes it is all just an enormous beat-up from all including politicians and the media.

The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle.

But what is clear is that the economic impact of COVID-19 will be long-lasting.

Mr Marshall credits his last trip to the US for helping to secure the filming of Mortal Kombat in SA.

The cancellation of the annual tech, film and music conference, South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, will leave Mr Marshall with some free time on his hands – time that can presumably filled with other appointments.

But it is difficult to disagree with the Premier’s sentiment that it is important to not let COVID-19 stop the search for new economic opportunities overseas.

In his words: “I know there is a lot of people that are buying into this anxiety and fear about COVID-19, (but) it is not going to help. I want South Australians to stay calm. That is the best way to get through this situation.”

Marshall may cancel US trade trip

Premier Steven Marshall may cancel a US trade mission due to COVID-19.

Mr Marshall was set to fly out next week for a trade mission that included a visit to Austin, Texas, for the annual tech, film and music conference, South by Southwest (SXSW).

“We’re looking at that trip,” Mr Marshall said.

“It’s very important to make sure we don’t just put the economy on the backburner (in response to the COVID-19).

“We’ve got to have a balance here, both in terms of our response to health and our economic response.

“There are enormous opportunities in the US for South Australia, but I’ll be looking very closely at that trip now.”

Mr Marshall was reconsidering the trip after SXSW was cancelled.

“We have to look closely at exactly what plays out this week and what’s projected to play out in the coming weeks,” he said.

“I want to be here – our primary (focus) is on the health and safety of the people of SA, and that will never change.”

Former premier Jay Weatherill attended SXSW in 2016.

When asked about the people stockpiling toilet rolls over COVID-19 concerns, Mr Marshall said people are feeling anxious and they’re thinking ‘I need to take action’.

“But I’m not buying into the panic,” Mr Marshall said.

“What I’m doing is working through every plausible scenario and making sure we, in SA, are as prepared as we possibly can be.”