MILLICENT again has an MPs office, of sorts, for the first time in almost 20 years.
Labor MLC Clare Scriven has recently opened a so-called “pop-up” office in a vacant shop at 27 George Street.
It will be staffed by Ms Scriven and her staff on a part-time basis for the coming month.
The front windows have signage as well as cuttings from The South Eastern Times, which have carried coverage of Ms Scriven’s political activities.
Millicent was the base for the MacKillop electorate office between 1985 and 1999 when it was closed by then Liberal MP Mitch Williams and moved to Naracoorte, where it remains to this day.
Ms Scriven was elected to the Legislative Council in March and holds the positions of deputy opposition leader and shadow minister for skills, industry and forests.
The Port MacDonnell resident is also the Labor Party parliamentarian who has oversight of the MacKillop and Mount Gambier electorates.
Although her Millicent office is only a temporary and part-time arrangement, it may be possible to meet residents there at other times by appointment.
“I am the only member of the Legislative Council who lives in a regional area,” Ms Scriven said.
“I am here as a local member of parliament.
“I am looking to open a permanent office, but it is unlikely to be in Millicent.”
Her “pop-up” office opened on Thursday morning and among the well-wishers was fellow Labor MLC Justin Hanson.
They spent much of the day talking to shop-owners, as well as doorknocking households.
Both Ms Scriven and Mr Hanson and their fellow Labor Party members remain strongly opposed to the Liberal Government’s plan to deregulate shop trading hours.
Ms Scriven said the new Liberal policy is “well beyond” what was taken to the state election.
“De-regulation will have a negative impact on Millicent,” she said.
“Shop owners are very worried about it and the uncertainty means new staff are not being taken on to replace those who have left.
“The very small producers will not be able to break in and have their products stocked by the larger supermarkets.”
Ms Scriven said there were some less obvious impacts of the Liberal deregulation policy.
“If workers were required in shops in Adelaide on public holidays, then this would mean they would not be able to take part in holiday weekends to the regions.”
Meanwhile, the bill from Greens leader Mark Parnell to ban fracking in the South East for a decade is due to be debated in the Upper House tomorrow, but neither Labor Legislative Council member would commit to a position.
Ms Scriven said the Labor Party would decide its stance at a caucus meeting scheduled for later today.
“The Labor Party has always held the position that it will be informed by science and it is obvious that no social licence exists for fracking in the South East.
“The Liberal Party should honour its commitment (to ban fracking) made ahead of the state election.”
