Premier Steven Marshall and rival Peter Malinauskas have gone head-to-head, trying to land blows in the first official debate. Recap our blog for all the key moments.
Premier Steven Marshall and Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas have put their politics and policies to the test this afternoon as they went head-to-head in their first state election campaign debate.
With less than a week-and-a-half to go until the March 19 poll, Mr Marshall was keen to present himself as the right person to continue leading the state as it comes out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
And Mr Malinauskas sought to show he is the man with a plan for South Australia in his bid to take over the top job.
ABC breakfast radio host, and political journalist, Stacey Lee moderated the SA Press Club forum.
You can read Advertiser.com.au's live blog of the debate below and watch a full replay above.
So, was it Marshall's day, or did Malinauskas overcome his early nerves and deliver a knock-out blow? Advertiser political journalist Paul Starick analyses the leaders' debate – read it here.
And you can vote in our poll and let us know what you think.
That's it for our live blog today – thanks for joining us.
The first official leaders' debate is over – we'll soon have analysis from Advertiser journalist Paul Starick on who he thinks landed the best blows, and whether the debate could change voters' minds.
Mr Marshall, in his closing speech, focused again on the state’s achievements over
the past four years.
“This is the most important election in the history of this state,” he said.
“When we came to government, South Australia was known to many of our interstate rivals as a backwater.”
He said now the state had record exports, record employment and record investment, and his party would continue to grow jobs.
“We have delivered for South Australia a very strong economy,” he said.
The debate has now concluded.
– Elizabeth Henson
In his closing statement, Peter Malinauskas has highlighted differences between the two campaigns.
"One of the things that have defined this campaign is that we've been announcing bold, ambitious plans for the future and the premier's main focus throughout the campaign is criticising us," he said.
"Which tends to be the actions of a premier who doesn't have a plan for the future."
He said he is reminded of how lucky South Australians are, and how important democracy is.
"It's important that we treat that vote preciously and as the privilege that it is," he said.
"Think about who you vote for and ask yourself which leader, which party does have a plan for the future?"
– Kathryn Bermingham
We're now moving into the final statements from both sides.
Next question: What will the parties do to build on the opportunities presented by the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Adelaide?
Mr Malinauskas said Labor had policies in place to create more female facilities.
“We know there is extraordinary growth in females in sport,” he said.
“We’ve got to invest in female facilities disproportionately. It’s also about encouraging participation as well.”
Mr Marshall said the Liberals also had plans to create more female facilities.
He said the government was also working with Adelaide United to ensure there was a “lasting legacy” from the opportunity.
Labor has made $2.7bil in election spending promises so far, and Peter Malinauskis says the Liberal’s have made $2.2bil in election spending promises.@9NewsAdel https://t.co/VF3Ab0tWlQ
— Harvey Biggs (@HarveyBiggs) March 10, 2022
Dr Michelle Atchison, AMA President in SA, asks about health: "Could you tell us three actions that each of your parties will take to improve the health system?
Mr Marshall says:
1. Make sure there are the right pathways into the hospital system
2. Provide alternative treatments for people,
3. Get the right work force in place and that's why we have increased staffing
Mr Malinauskas says:
1. Boost capacity to accommodate growing and aging population. That includes 300 extra beds, 350 extra Ambos, 300 extra nurses and 100 extra doctors across our metro and regional health services.
2. Introduce 98 additional mental health beds.
– Kathryn Bermingham
The crowd is now getting in on the act. Questions from the audience have now kicked off.
The first questions was to Mr Malinauskas about his economic credentials.
Mr Malinauskas said he had a Bachelor of Commerce and he then chose to go down the road of “representing the interests of working people” referring to his union
work.
He said that throughout that time he worked closely with the business sector and decried Mr Marshall's "Wok in a Box" experience before he entered parliament and ultimately became premier.
The debate moves to questions from the people in the audience at the SA Press Club, to Mr Malinauskas' economic credentials to both sides' responses to ramping.
In an alternate reality without The Advertiser, an alleged drug supplier could still be in parliament and voters would have no idea, writes Paul Starick.
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