The Marshall Liberal government released its blueprint that it believes will drive economic growth in the state’s regions and create jobs in a range of industries. The Premier launched the 'Our Regions Matter' strategy and website in Port Lincoln on Tuesday, telling invited media:
“Our Regions Matter – contributing around $29 billion per year to the South Australian economy across a range of industries including farming, fishing, mining, manufacturing and tourism.
“Just under 150,000 people are employed in regional South Australia and it’s important we do everything we can to drive economic growth in our regions, creating local jobs.
“This is why we are investing over $3 billion across more than 1,000 projects across the regions, to create thousands of jobs and better lives for South Australians across our regions, focused on health, education and sport,” Marshall said.
Labor shadow spokesperson for regional development, Clare Scriven MLC, was critical of the strategy, telling FlowNews24 on Wednesday:
“There is nothing in this strategy, in terms of no new funding, no new ideas, and no new substance.
“It really does show that the Liberals promised a lot before the last election for the regions, but have failed to follow through.”
“I think regional South Australians are sick of being taken for granted by this government.
When asked about the funding status of one long-debated regional health issue, establishing a new Barossa hospital, Mrs Scriven noted there was no commitment in the strategy yet towards that initiative:
“When it comes to the local hospital there is a lot of disappointment in the local community because there’s no funding coming for that.
“People are upset, they feel there were promises made about what would happen for services in their regions, and again what we’re seeing is the Marshall Liberal government failing to follow through, and failing to deliver for the regions.”