THE Australian Conservatives will push for a “royalties for regions fund”, bans on fracking in the South East and a renewed focus on basics in education, MacKillop candidate Richard Bateman has pledged.
The Furner farmer said enshrining legislation against fracking in the South East would be among the party’s priorities if elected to parliament.
“Fracking is very important in the South East and the Australian Conservatives have called for a moratorium,” he said.
“We’d like to see it in legislation.
“The country in the South East is unique with its underground water and we have to make sure it’s a no go zone.”
Mr Bateman was also supportive of a royalties for regions program to secure improvements in infrastructure and services in regional South Australia.
In 2013, the then Family First MLC Robert Brokenshire sought amendments to the State Government’s Mining Royalties Amendment Bill to see 25pc of mining royalties dedicated for expenditure in the regions.
Despite voting against the amendments, the State Opposition has pledged to create a fund with 30pc of mineral and petroleum royalty revenue, estimated to be up to $750m over 10 years, if elected at next month’s election.
“The royalties for regions program is definitely something that needs pushing forward with,” he said.
“Anything that brings money back into the local community is good.
“The regions are being neglected in a lot of the budget deliberations in North Terrace.”
Mr Bateman also pushed for an independent auditor to assist in complaint resolution and advising primary producers.
“Farmers are always the smallest parties represented in discussions,” he said.
“I would be looking for some kind of ombudsman to help resolve complaints and advise farmers.
“Farmers can be bullied into agreements.
“These are viable, productive farms and once you dig it up or you put a mine or gas well on one farm, it affects every neighbour.”
Mr Bateman said the party would strongly advocate for the state’s school curriculum to be simplified, with an increased focus on boosting basic literacy and numeracy skills.
“I think the NAPLAN tests have been showing we are falling behind other states,” he said.
“We have got some good quality teachers, but the curriculum is problematic.
“We need to get back to basics in education and focus on reading, writing and arithmetic.
“When you get children coming out of primary school, they need to be able to know their times tables and basic spelling.
“The curriculum needs attention and that starts in Adelaide.
“Teachers are overburdened with extra curricular activities, which is not necessary.”
Australian Conservatives MLC Robert Brokenshire said Mr Bateman would strongly support the party in representing the entire state as opposed to a “city-centric focus”.
Mr Brokenshire urged MacKillop voters to “closely examine all candidates” ahead of the March 17 poll.
“Do not just look at what people are saying now, but look at their history,” he said.
“Former Senator Xenophon and the Greens’ populous call for the ban on live cattle exports had a significant detrimental effect on cattle producers across Australia.
“Xenophon has pushed with the Greens and Labor for a fast tracking of renewable energy and that has hurt every South Australian with households and businesses now paying the highest electricity prices in the country.
“Xenophon has back-flipped on council rate capping and no longer supports this, meaning country people will continue to pay significant council rates.”
