Liberals launch new ad highlighting ramping crisis in same style as Labor’s ‘Ash the Ambo’ campaign

The Opposition has unveiled its own ad blitz on the state’s hospital ramping crisis – and it follows a very familiar script.

A new Liberal advertisement highlighting the continuing ramping crisis features lines from Labor’s “Ash the Ambo” election campaign video.

The ad, which will be launched on Wednesday, shows a woman speaking directly to camera about ramping in the same style as paramedic Ashleigh Frier, who featured in the original video.

“Labor promised they would fix ramping but since the election ramping has almost doubled. It could be you or a loved one who needs an ambulance and the simple fact is that you might not get one in time,” the woman says.

The South Australian Liberals are launching a TV ad in response to Labor's "Ash the Ambo" election campaign advertisement. Picture: Supplied

Ambulance paramedic Ashleigh Frier, who featured in Labor’s campaign ad. Picture: Supplied

“Lives are at risk and Peter Malinauskas isn’t doing enough. Peter, you promised you’d fix this. We don’t want your politics, we want your results.”

In Labor’s advertisement, circulated widely in the weeks before the election, Ms Frier said “it could be you or a loved one that needs an ambulance and the simple fact is you might not get one in time”.

“Lives are at risk, and Steven Marshall isn’t doing enough,” she said.

Ramping levels reached record highs in the months after the March 2022 state election.

The Liberals’ ad, which features a paid actor, will be launched on social media.

Opposition Leader David Speirs said Mr Malinauskas promised to fix ramping during “one of the most savage political campaigns ever seen in this state”.

“But a year down the track, ramping is out of control and Peter Malinauskas’ priorities are all wrong — he’s more focused on rubbing shoulders with sports stars and celebrities,” he said.

“Peter Malinauskas is more interested in photo opportunities, and now he’s been elected fixing the ramping crisis isn’t his priority.”

But a government spokesman said the Liberals had four years to invest in the heath system.

“Instead, all they did was cut. While we’re busy hiring new ambos and building ambulance stations, the Liberals are spending their energy hiring fake ambos to whip up cheap knock-offs on social media,” he said.

“David Speirs and the Liberals are utterly out of ideas.”

Originally published as Liberals launch new ad highlighting ramping crisis in same style as Labor’s ‘Ash the Ambo’ campaign