South Australian Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas descended on Mount Gambier today to gain insight into the issues affecting the region ahead of next year’s election.
Key points:
- State Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas is in the region today to investigate the region’s most pressing issues
- Solicitor Katherine Davies has been announced as the Labor Party’s candidate for the seat of Mount Gambier
- Forestry discussions are high on Mr Malinauskas’ agenda during the visit
It comes as the Labor threw its hat into the ring for the seat of Mount Gambier by announcing its candidate for the March election.
The party has pre-selected Limestone Coast Community Justice Centre solicitor Katherine Davies to contest the seat.
Mr Malinauskas said every vote across the state will count.
“Since I took over the leadership of the Labor Party, I said on day one that Labor let the regions down,” he said.
“I’ve spent a lot of effort around our state getting to know our regions, but more importantly, understanding the opportunities.”
South East full of opportunities
He said the South East has managed to succeed on its own two feet, particularly throughout COVID-19.
“I’m actually looking forward to doing a number of things today, but not least of which [is] having a really interesting briefing regarding water with the Green Triangle Forestry Industries Hub.”
Mr Malinauskas is joined by a host of shadow ministers exploring the issues on his tour of the city.
He will also use it as a chance to introduce their new candidate.
“I know that she shares my conviction for politics, making sure there is a social justice conviction at the heart of public policy, and understands that we’ve got to get the balance right between economic growth but making sure we don’t leave people behind.”
ABC South East SA: Laura Mayers
)Community ‘deserves more’
Ms Davies said she was particularly passionate about securing better services for the Mount Gambier community.
“Through my work I advocate for clients every day and I want to be that voice for the wider Limestone Coast, which I’ve chosen to call home,” Ms Davies said.
She urged people to consider the ongoing stress on the public health system and COVID-19’s impact on cross-border communities when they cast their vote next year.
“I’m really hoping that people remember how much we’ve been impacted in this cross-border community when it comes to the election,” she said.
“There’s so many clients of mine who have children across the border, and also those that need to access health services and use Mount Gambier as a hub.
“It’s been really difficult to deal with.”
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell said he endorsed the comments by the Labor candidate.
“It has been an extremely challenging time for those people living in a cross-border community and the state government has really been lacking in providing timely responses to the issues raised by people living on the border,” he said.
“There is a lot more they need to be doing to support the community on the South Australian-Victorian border.”
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall recently met with Cross-border Call Out page founder Paula Gust to discuss a range of issues affecting those communities.
She said the lines of communication with the Premier were now well-established.
Small business owner and Mount Gambier city councillor Ben Hood was this week pre-selected as the Liberal Party’s candidate for Mount Gambier.
