RENEWABLE energy investment, easing pressure on small businesses and regional health were among the concerns of voters at Monday night’s Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce Great State Debate.
More than 110 people packed into Mount Gambier City Hall to hear independent Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell, Liberal candidate Craig Marsh and Australian Conservatives candidate Gregg Bisset discuss some of the region’s most important issues.
The trio agreed in their responses on many of the issues raised, backing payroll tax reductions, decentralising government agencies and support for biomass energy production.
Labor’s Isabel Scriven, who was announced as the party’s Mount Gambier candidate late Monday afternoon, was unable to attend, while SA-Best candidate Kate Amoroso cited health issues for her absence.
Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce president Lynette Martin told the crowd while Labor Limestone Coast Legislative Council candidate Clare Scriven had sought to join the debate as the party’s representative, the debate was for Lower House candidates.
In his opening speech, Mr Bell struck out at his former party, saying an independent with experience would be critical to ensure tangible results for Mount Gambier.
“Parliament is not an easy place to navigate and I was blessed to have the mentorship of Isobel Redmond and Mitch Williams, with a combined 40 years experience, who have spent a lot of time working with me to understand legislation and how parliament and the system actually works,” he said.
“Unfortunately for the other candidates … a candidate without experience will simply go to the back of the line.
“There are many in both parties who will deliver for their electorate first and Mount Gambier later.”
But Mr Marsh said a Liberal candidate with the backing of the party would have stronger powers in parliament.
“The Liberal Party values the regional areas of South Australia and their input into the state economy,” he said.
“Residents here deserve facilities and services equal to those in the city.
“I will work hard to improve health services and reintroduce regional boards and am committed to upgrading the renal unit and improving the oncology unit.
“I will also work to improve infrastructure through Royalties for Regions, a permanent funding source for maintaining and upgrading our roads.”
Australian Conservatives candidate Gregg Bisset said the upcoming election put the state in a “precarious situation” and reinforced the need for strong rural representation in both houses of parliament.
“All the policies that were announced by Robert Brokenshire of the Australian Conservatives have all been around rural issues and that will continue,” he said.
“We have a really strong program for rural communities and we need to have that support.
“All the horse trading that’s going to go on, we need to seriously consider that we have great support in the Upper House with the conservatives.
“I really believe there is a better way and we need to move forward with things.”
