READ MORE: Supermarket workers oppose deregulation
READ MORE: Millicent crowd sends message
OUR VIEW: Millicent shop trading hours
MEMBER for MacKillop Nick McBride has reiterated his intention to vote with the Liberal Party to deregulate shop trading hours despite an overwhelming community push to cross the floor.
The incumbent faced a crowd of close to 100 politically engaged residents on Friday night for the SA-Best shop trading hours forum, telling the audience crossing the floor would make no difference to the legislation passing in the lower house.
Mr McBride’s refusal to split from his party to support the community’s wishes was met with jeers from the audience, with one community member telling the Liberal MP “we elected you” in an outburst.
Although Mr McBride pledged to fight in the party room to retain Millicent’s unique trading hours, he defended his party’s deregulation mandate as an attempt to “bring about prosperity” in South Australia.
“As a Liberal, I stand up for small business more than anything else,” he said.
“That is why in the party room I will absolutely do my best to make them understand that Millicent wants representation that you should put aside from the deregulation that we as a Liberal Party stand for.
“At this stage, I have to and I will rule out crossing the floor.
“It does not change the vote in my house by crossing the floor, it still passes.
“I still have to be part of a party that belongs to an election promise they were going to try and turn the fortunes of this state around and I hope you will all benefit from that.”
“The Foster and Schuller families are absolutely vital to Millicent and I am going to do my utmost to protect these businesses.”
Mr McBride told the crowd of SA-Best’s power in the Upper House in passing the legislation, with the government needing the support of three additional non-Liberal members to form a majority in the house and carry votes on the floor.
With the Labor Party opposing the measure, the State Government will have to rely on Mr Pangallo and SA-Best colleague Connie Bonaros, Greens MLCs Mark Parnell and Tammy Franks and Advance SA’s John Darley to pass the legislation.
All five crossbenchers have indicated their opposition to total deregulation.
“Frank would be very well aware, the Liberal Party does not have the number through both houses of parliament,” Mr McBride said.
“He knows in the House of Assembly where I sit, even if I cross the floor, that it is not going to get the legislation getting through.
“When you get to his house in the Legislative Council, Frank and his Green counterparts can vote against this legislation and stop it in its path.
“If there is one thing about tonight and I think the message needs to be said, it is what do you want him to do when he has the chance to represent you?
“Rob Lucas and the government can say they will deregulate everything, but Frank has the call.
“He can bring amendments and adjustments to this.
“Somewhere in the trading hours and deregulation and looking for prosperity for all, Frank and SA-Best and the Liberal Party actually have to find a compromise.”
In response to a question from the floor, Mr Pangallo said he was unable to make variations to the proposed legislation to protect Millicent as a proclaimed shopping district.
“Treasurer Rob Lucas has already indicated there will not be any exemptions – it is just going to be open slather,” he said.
“There is no flexibility and they will not allow any exemptions at all.
“If deregulation gets through, it will apply everywhere.”
