Commenting on the story: Malinauskas leads Labor’s revival as Marshall Govt routed

I’m surprised the Liberal party didn’t see that result coming. When a party completely loses touch with an industry as large as hospitality, it is going to have a significant percentage of voters not supporting it.

The Liberal Party’s handling of the industry during the Covid period has been brutal and completely lacking of any understanding of the hardship and stress they have inflicted on the entire industry. They have continually used hospitality as the whipping boys by imposing unbelievably harsh restrictions. They have shown complete ignorance and care for everyone in the industry.

The people of SA have spoken. Premier Marshall and his advisors will now have got the message that you cannot treat people with so little care and respect as they have done to the hospitality industry. – Geoff Prest, Caledonian Hotel, Robe

Commenting on the story: How the Libs lost their leader-in-waiting

The day I heard of the Liberal Party’s intention to steal (my terminology) a portion of Adelaide’s park lands to build a sporting arena was the day I resolved I would not be voting for them at the then forthcoming election. Other friends I spoke to about this issue were of like mind.

I’m not against the building of a multi-capacity multi-use sporting arena: I am vehemently opposed to any further encroachment of our public park lands – a key asset few other cities in the world can boast having, and a key element in why Adelaide was voted third most liveable city on Earth.

Yes – health was a big issue in the run-up to the election, but it was the proposed theft of a portion of our public park lands that was my determining factor. The Liberals should have immediately vetoed any plans to build an arena on park lands when the advertisement supported by so many major business people appeared in The Advertiser. Why they continued with this plan made me suspicious they were being controlled by developers. Labor take heed. – Ray Goulte

Commenting on the story: The smartest guys in the room

This article just proves that Marshall was totally out of touch with the electorate, illustrated well by the axing of the Adelaide 500 Supercars race which bought millions of dollars into the state, but instead spruiking a basketball stadium for $600 million. – Warren Inman

Commenting on the opinion piece: Learning the lessons of SA’s brutal election result

I believe Covid played a much larger part than Rob indicates. The premature opening of the State meant we went from knowing it was “safe” to be active in the community, to being very nervous to even go out.

We went from enjoying pre-Christmas activities either in each other’s homes or in hotels/restaurants to a miserable festive season, especially for New Year when there were limits of 10 allowed at home. And opening up on November 23rd went against the Premier’s promises not to open up until 80% were double vaccinated, and across all areas of the State (a promise made due to the then low vaccination rates in the northern suburbs).

Until then the Premier was being praised for keeping out Covid, with only four deaths. This all changed when he took the decision to open the borders. – Deane Crabb