By Raquel Mustillo
PREMIER Steven Marshall has revealed there was “some discussion” about implementing differential restrictions for regional South Australia, but ultimately opted for a statewide lockdown to combat prospective transmission in the region.
At a press conference this week, Mr Marshall said there had been situations in other parts of Australia where tiered restrictions had been implemented and “caused some cases” in those areas.
“We definitely did consider whether or not we could have a differential arrangement but ultimately it was decided that the safest way for us to get through this seven day lockdown was to have it for the entire state and I back that position 100pc,” he said.
“We don’t want cases anywhere in South Australia, so we’re going to be coming out of this together as a state.
“The problem is that we just don’t know that it’s not in other parts of our state.
“Yes we have done well to lockdown, but we had a situation at the Westminster School where we had boarders who were at the school and travelled to regional SA.”
Last week, Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell called on the State Government to implement a more localised response to Covid outbreaks for regional South Australia.
The independent MP said a whole of state lockdown was a “one-size-fits-all approach” which were having devastating impact on businesses, people and communities.
Mr Bell said he had been strongly advocating for regional representation on the state’s Transition Committee and for the appointment of a Cross Border Commissioner since the pandemic started, adding it was “clear our State Government does not grasp the importance of this role”.
Shadow Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scirven said while it was imperative to follow health advice, she believed the state leader had not considered country communities and canvassed whether alternative arrangements could be applied.
“What we haven’t seen from Steven Marshall is enough thought and attention to the impact in border communities,” she said.
“I am not sure people in regional communities are even being considered, particularly those 100km of the border.
“It really raises the question whether the Premier has sought that kind of information to consider whether there were alternate approaches consistent with health advice for regional communities.”
