South Australian state election – what’s been announced

Hospitals, ambulances and mental health – so far, the major parties’ election promises have revolved around health. These are how the promises of the first week are stacking up.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26

The Opposition Leader has committed $80m to boost mental health care resources for kids, if his government wins the election.

Peter Malinauskas, speaking during a rally staged by parents desperate for better mental health care for children, agreed it must be a priority.

Labor wants to boost numbers of child psychiatrists and psychologists by 15 and send 100 mental health specialists into schools to support kids and provide key care.

Labor is also committing to an 10 extra mental health beds for kids in the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

A disused quarry in the northeastern suburbs would become a 350ha adventure tourism destination for cycling, swimming, diving, kayaking and running, under a Liberal election promise.

Crystal Lake Recreation Park at Highbury, which connects with the Torrens Linear Park trail, would be opened to the public after the state government entered into commercial negotiations with the current owner of the quarry site.

Premier Steven Marshall said the park would transform the area, near Lower North East and Churchett roads, from a fenced-off site into a “playground of activity in and out of the water”.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas has announced that Labor will open 64 extra beds in three of the state’s major hospitals in an effort to “end the ramping crisis.”

An elected Labor government would also introduce 100 extra doctors and 300 nurses to ensure all patients can receive immediate care.

Labor has promised 24 extra beds at Lyell McEwin Hospital, 24 at Flinders Medical Centre, and 16 at Gawler Hospital.

Weather eye

Primary producers at McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and the Limestone Coast would benefit from 43 hi-tech automatic weather stations – worth $2.25m – if the Liberal government is re-elected next month.

The new weather stations would be build on the current Mesonet network of 70 stations across the Mid North, Riverland and Mallee.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Four major metropolitan hospitals – the Repat, Lyell McEwin and Noarlunga and Modbury – would be expanded at a cost of $123m if the Liberal government is returned next month.

The pledge is part of a $500m health spending barrage flagged by Premier Steven Marshall, countering a major Opposition focus on boosting the sector.

Mr Marshall said the new funding would deliver “high-priority projects”, including extra beds, expanded emergency departments and more mental health support.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Voters in the federal electorate of Spence could go to the polls twice in a matter of weeks as long serving Labor MP Nick Champion formally resigns from parliament.

Mr Champion, who will contest the safe seat of Taylor at the March 19 state election, handed in his letter of resignation on Wednesday afternoon.

House of Representatives Speaker Andrew Wallace said he was considering calling a by-election for the safe federal Labor seat, despite a general federal election tipped to for May.

Labor has selected transport union organiser Matt Burnell to fight for Spence, a safe federal seat in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

Federal Labor backbencher Nick Champion, who will contest the state election. Picture: AAP Image

Mr Champion entered federal parliament in 2007. He is now the candidate for the safe Labor state seat of Taylor, left vacant by the retirement of MP Jon Gee.

Nature-based tourism

Elsewhere, a re-elected Liberal government would pump $25m into regional and nature-based tourism over the next five years to help the sector bounce back from Covid, Premier Steven Marshall has pledged.

The “Opening Our Great Outdoors” fund would aim to create jobs and “lift the amenity of the tourism experience right across South Australia”.

Labor leader Peter Malinauskas has ramped up his election campaign by inviting the public go for runs with him.

Spruiking the idea as a way for people to “talk about the state’s future”, Mr Malinauskas has invited the community to join him for a hump day run from 6am every Wednesday in the election campaign at the North Adelaide golf course.
At a press conference on Wednesday morning, the Opposition Leader promised a $28m cancer centre, and more hospital and mental health beds at Modbury Hospital.

Asked what his plans were for the Modbury Hospital, Premier Steven Marshall said Labor had downgraded services during its previous stint in government.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

An extra 300 nurses would be recruited to ease pressure on existing staff and help fix ambulance ramping, under a state Labor government.

The Opposition said it would employ the additional nurses over and above the existing budgeted increases to nursing staff over coming years.

The state government will spend $25m on a new North Adelaide Aquatic Centre if re-elected, in a joint-funding venture. The cash splash will be three-tiered with the Adelaide City Council and federal government – the council-operated pool will be estimated to cost $75m-$85m.

On Sunday, Labor also promised to spend $80m on a new Adelaide Aquatic Centre.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21

The Liberal government has promised to scrap payroll tax for all trainees and apprentices, saving employers an estimated $18.2m.

In a bid to boost tourism and exports, Premier Steven Marshall said a re-elected Liberal government would lure more overseas flights to Adelaide with an $18m fund and three new trade offices in Germany, India and the ASEAN region.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20

A “deep maintenance” facility will be built on land next to the Edinburgh military base as part of an expanded defence focus in SA. The $160m facility, announced by Premier Steven Marshall, will repair and maintain an RAAF fleet of 20 planes.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth and state governments will spend $52.69m on 16 road safety upgrades on major highways and regional roads across SA, to improve safety, notably on the Eyre and Barrier Highways.

Labor says it will use 10 per cent of a planning and development fund to help councils buy land for new “pocket parks” and combat urban infill if re-elected. The fund usually receives about $27m a year, so the pledge is worth about $3m a year.

Labor has pledged $62m over the next four years to recruit 100 public doctors including specialists for rural areas and a focus on mental health.