Labor unveils $62m shot in the arm for SA health system

At least $62m will be spent over the next four years to recruit 100 public doctors, Labor has pledged. But the Liberal party says that’s a “dramtic slowing” of recruitment.

Dozens of new doctors would be hired to boost public hospital resources, under a Labor election plan unveiled Sunday.

In one of his biggest policy announcements of the election campaign, Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas will announce that at least $62m will be provided over the next four years to recruit 100 public doctors.

The pre-poll pledge, which party sources said was the first “significant’” health policy of the month-long campaign, includes 50 resident doctors for Adelaide public hospitals, costing taxpayers at least $20.5m.

Under the plans, a further $10m will go towards hiring 10 specialists, from different medical backgrounds. They will be deployed to rural areas “facing critical shortages”.

Mr Malinauskas, who last week promised to spend $80m on a new Adelaide Aquatic Centre, will say a Labor administration will spend an extra $31.5m for 40 doctors across the SA Health system, with a focus on mental health.

Future doctors Liya Joseph, Emma Lane, Reema Madike, and Gavin Regan Picture: Morgan Sette

Labor’s leader, who last weekend had a third Covid-19 booster shot after recovering from the virus, will say the funding will come from scrapping Liberal plans for a $662.3m multipurpose city arena and basketball stadium.

The Riverbank stadium plan has sparked heated political debate since Premier Steven Marshall unveiled it more than a year ago, which he said will boost the economy and create more jobs.

In a pitch to early voters, Mr Malinauskas said if elected his government would “relieve the enormous pressure on overworked, stressed doctors”.

He said it will also tackle chronic ramping of ambulances at major hospitals, by allowing “patients to be seen and treated faster”.

Speaking before today’s announcement, Mr Malinauskas said the recruitment drive will start immediately after March 19 if he wins the poll before an extra 100 doctors “on the books” within four years.

“It is absolutely vital to have these doctors. We need to have these resources built back up,” he said.

Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas speaking among colleagues and family with Deputy Leader Susan Close announcing the start of his state election campaign at Pinkie Flat. Picture: Morgan Sette

“While we need extra capacity to stamp out the 485 per cent increase in ramping since the Liberals came to government, you also need people to service that.

“It is money we can’t afford not to spend,” he said on Saturday.

“This election is all about choice. This is a really important choice between massive investment in health or a new city basketball stadium.”

Labor Health spokesman Chris Picton said the party had listened to doctors, nurses, paramedics and hospital staff on ramping crisis solutions.

Third year Adelaide University medical student Emma Lane, 20, of Payneham, welcomed the pledge as she studies for a career in obstetrics and gynaecology.

The government has said the stadium cost will occur after the 2026 election.

Before then, $78.9m was allocated for planning and other initial site works.

Mr Marshall last week flagged a film hub for the “tired” Entertainment Centre that could include movie studios such as Netflix.

Health Minister Stephen Wade said the Marshall Liberal Government was employing “more nurses, doctors and midwives and paramedics than ever before” amid a record $7.4b health budget.

“Labor is promising to employ 100 more doctors over the next four years,” he said.

“That represents a dramatic slowing of medical recruitment.

“The Marshall Government has employed more than 100 doctors each year since we were elected.”

Senator Simon Birmingham and Premier Steven Marshall. Picture: Morgan Sette

Marshall gets a flying start but Mali’s up and running

By Mitch Mott, Todd Lewis

The leaders of South Australia’s two major political parties launched their respective campaigns in very different styles on Saturday as they start to stake their claims to lead government for the next four years.

It follows SA Governor Frances Adamson issuing the writs to the electoral commission, which officially confirmed March 19 as South Australia’s state election day. Premier Steven Marshall set the pace early with a morning announcement at the Edinburgh RAAF air base.

Taking his spot on the runway next to federal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham, Mr Marshall exuded the confidence of a man with a half dozen aircraft and a $160m announcement up his sleeve.

He said his pitch to South Australians was to look at the way the state had weathered the Covid-19 pandemic. “Our economy is strong and we have a proven record of economic performance, which is among the top in Australia,” Mr Marshall said.

“We finally have people coming back to our state and turned off the exodus of you-ng people going interstate.”

Commander Ken Millar and the Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall at a press conference at the RAAF base in Edinburgh. Picture: Morgan Sette

Peter Malinauskas on the park run in Adelaide Saturday 19th Feb. Picture. Peter Malinauskas/ Twitter

From there, Mr Marshall made a dash to Government House to sign the writs, dodging ambulance workers protesting out the front by entering through a rear gate. In what has become a no-shame approach over recent weeks, Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas took the first available opportunity to show off his “guns” by joining the early morning park run along the River Torrens.

Sporting a singlet with the tag line “running for the future” it became clear it would be the focus of his campaign

Back in a suit and tie for a press conference just hours later, Mr Malinauskas said: “We have a plan post the pandemic that I know I’m able to deliver because of all the people behind it. A fresh team, a united team that is only committed to the future.”

Central to Mr Malinauskas’ plan is to invest $662m to fix the ambulance ramping crisis. “I can’t wait as we announce our health policy to just show South Australians how much you can do with $662m,” he said.