Jay Weatherill’s final election stunt backfires

A move Jay Weatherill would have considered a masterstroke has backfired on the eve of SA’s state election.

A protester is led away during a Jay Weatherill’s press conference at Henley Beach, today. Picture: AAP

A move Jay Weatherill would have considered a masterstroke backfired this morning when his final press conference before tomorrow’s state election was overshadowed by a protester, who had to be forcibly removed by the Premier’s security detail.

Mr Weatherill returned to where he berated Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg last year over energy policy, only to be interrupted by an opponent of drilling in the Great Australian Bight.

“What will you be telling the people of Kangaroo Island?” the man shouted.

A clearly surprised Premier put the press conference on hold for around a minute while his security team removed the protester.

Mr Weatherill and Mr Frydenberg clashed a year ago, when the Premier accused him of being part of the “most anti-South Australian government in recent memory” following the September 2016 statewide blackout that crippled industry and left parts of the state without power for days.

“When he (Mr Frydenberg) arrived (at last year’s press conference), he used that typical condescending way in which he dealt with things,” Mr Weatherill recalled this morning.

Mr Weatherill said the clash showed “genuine leadership” and was a “turning point” for his government.

The pair traded barbs again last month after Labor committed to a 75 per cent renewable energy target by 2025 — a move labelled “complete madness” by the federal government.

Mr Weatherill this morning announced a $10 million loan to British billionaire Sanjeev Gupta for a 120MW storage battery, which will eclipse Tesla’s 100MW state-funded battery that was built by Elon Musk’s company last year.

“Here we are, ending this campaign, two billionaires duking it out about who’s going to have the biggest battery here in South Australia,” Mr Weatherill said.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill is seen with Geoff Perkins (the owner of the house used for the media event) in Henley Beach today. Picture: AAP

“We cannot turn back now. The momentum is growing.”

Also this morning, Mr Weatherill took part in an ABC radio debate alongside Liberal leader Steven Marshall and SA-Best leader Nick Xenophon.

Mr Marshall repeated his claim that Mr Xenophon was intent on keeping Labor in power for a historic fifth term. He also ruled out forming a minority government with SA-Best.

“Nick Xenophon said that this has been a disastrous government for us here in South Australia,” he said.

“But then when repeatedly asked, would you rule out doing a deal with Jay Weatherill after the election, (he says) no, then he adopts their policies.”

Mr Xenophon said Mr Marshall’s comments were a “lie” and that, if he holds the balance of power, his decision would be based on a range of factors, including which party won the most seats and votes.

Plans for seismic testing for oil and gas within 90 kilometres of Kangaroo Island, a tourism hotspot 200km southwest of Adelaide, were revealed yesterday.

Mr Weatherill said any decision on drilling was a matter for the federal government, but he would make strong representations about environment protection.