Check back here throughout the day for updates on the election campaign as they happen.
2.40pm Why Roseworthy?
Deputy Premier John Rau this afternoon asked the enigmatic question: why does Steven Marshall want to fast-track the development of Roseworthy ahead of other areas?
Rau quoted Marshall in The Bunyip newspaper, in which he said he would “remove red tape to make sure that this project goes ahead as soon as possible”.
“Roseworthy is a massive rezoning of agricultural land, 50km to the north of Adelaide,” Rau said. “Mr Marshall’s rezone would increase the value of Roseworthy land by hundreds of millions of dollars.”
He asked whether the Liberals would also “fast-track” the rezoning of Concordia, Cheetham, Aldinga, Sellicks or Hackham.
2.35pm Industry supports Libs on Marine Parks
The commercial fishing industry in South Australia said today it’s supporting the Liberal Party’s “sensible approach” on marine park policy in the lead-up to next month’s State Election.
Executive Officer of the South Australian Rock Lobster Advisory Council Inc (SARLAC), Justin Phillips, says the commercial fishing industry’s future will be shaped by what happens on election day.
“We reject the Labor Government’s ill-considered plans and sanctuary zones and urge all South Australians who want a healthy, sustainable seafood industry for generations to come to support the Liberals’ marine park policy on March 15,” said Phillips.
“We think the Liberal Party has adopted a sensible approach to marine parks and has committed to conserving marine biodiversity without compromising regional communities, seafood exports and the future viability of commercial fisheries across the state.”
1.10pm A Medicare “protest”
Labor figures have joined a crowd of Labor placard waving people at Parliament House. It’s a “Hands off our Medicare” rally directed at the Federal Coalition Government.
10.15am Emergency helicopter services
Labor is promising to build a new premises at Adelaide Airports heli-pad which it says will speed up response times. It’s also promising $5.8m over four years for a “community paramedic pilot program”.
The new building will house the SA Ambulance Service’s MedSTAR team (the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service). At the moment, the doctors, nurses and paramedics have to travel on busy roads to get to the helipad.
The new premises will be a “start of the art base”, costing $11 million, right next to the helipad, saving up to nine minutes in an emergency.
The pilot program will involve five community paramedics working the the community to keep “as many people as possible out of hospital”.
8.37am Debt claims
Not a new leak, but more info from a previous leaked document.
Shadow Treasurer Iain Evans tells 891 that the Treasury document from earlier this month shows an additional $212m funding hole opening up beyond the budget estimates – so 2017-18. This new information has come after the Government announced a $380m budget black hole on 22 January.
Treasurer Jay Weatherill says debt levels are manageable and he will still get the budget back into surplus in 2015-16. He says debt will reduce over the forward estimates as a consequence of these surpluses.
8.30am Another leak?
The Opposition says it has a leaked Cabinet document which indicates a new budget hole.
Details shortly.
6am Blackspot funding
The Liberals are promising to double funding for blackspots on our roads.
