LIBERAL candidate for MacKillop Nick McBride has labelled the shock pre-election resignation of cabinet ministers Jack Snelling and Leesa Vlahos as a calculated move by the Labor Party.
Mr McBride said the dual resignation of the health and mental health ministers was “really convenient” just two weeks after the controversy-plagued opening of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and an ongoing Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry into the Oakden nursing home scandal.
“We’ve got a Labor premier saying Leesa Vlahos is stepping down because of ill health, while Jack Snelling is going because of family reasons,” he said.
“It’s just excuse-making for the inevitable.
“For Leesa Vlahos it’s about the findings from the Oakden report and obviously for Jack Snelling it’s all about these health problems and issues around the RAH and regional health.
“There’s just nothing there they can hang their coat on and be proud of their efforts.
“With all the issues around the health system, no wonder they wouldn’t want to be involved.
“It’s calculated and probably very sly on behalf of the Labor Party to lose these ministers that have overseen these issues.”
Earlier this year, an investigation by the state’s chief psychiatrist into the government-run Oakden aged care mental health facility found evidence of abuse and mistreatment of elderly patients.
Ms Vlahos, who was mental health minister at the time, came under fire by State Opposition in parliament after revelations she was notified of the potential for “serious injury or death” at the facility in early 2015.
The former minister was slammed by State Liberal leader Steven Marshall in parliament after it was revealed she did not read the report for at least five days and did not make a public statement about the contents until 10 days after receiving it.
Mr McBride took aim at Ms Vlahos, who will continue to serve the seat of Taylor and will contest the next state election as a candidate for the Upper House.
“In light of all the scandals, Leesa Vlahos is just completely devoid of the mismanagement she oversaw and was responsible for,” he said.
“She wiped her hands of it completely and said it was her bureaucrats and staff.
“She was failing at that area and she still thinks she deserves the jobs and the privilege of representing South Australians in the Upper House.
“After such an abysmal effort, she still thinks she deserves a right to represent the people further.
“It’s a bitter pill that South Australians shouldn’t have to swallow.”
Mr McBride said it was “untenable” for Mr Snelling to continue in cabinet and as a sitting member, citing a “raft of issues” as a contributing factor to the current Member for Playford’s sudden resignation.
“In politics it is about how many cards stack up and with Snelling, all the cards are stacking up in the negative,” he said.
“It is untenable for him to continue on.
“There’s just too much baggage.”
