By Raquel Mustillo
PREMIER Steven Marshall has acknowledged MacKillop MP Nick McBride’s “great level of frustration” regarding the state’s travel exemption process, pledging to process the 11,000 applications currently awaiting approval as “expeditiously as possible”.
Last week, the first-term Liberal MP confirmed he was considering defecting to the crossbench over delays in processing travel exemptions for MacKillop constituents.
Following what he described as “productive discussions” with Mr Marshall and Treasurer Rob Lucas earlier this week, and consultation with constituents, Mr McBride confirmed he would continue as the Liberal Member for MacKillop.
Mr Marshall told parliament he “completely appreciate[s] the frustration” that MPs are feeling and sought to assure parliamentarians that authorities would continue to process applications as quickly as possible, while remaining focused on keeping the Delta variant out of South Australia.
“I completely appreciate the frustration that members of parliament are feeling on the frontline, because they’re on the frontline responding to some of these requests,” he said.
“Some of the stories we are hearing are very compelling but at the same time we have been… given that requirement to balance the need for people to come back in with the need to keep South Australians safe.
“The Member for MacKillop is a passionate member, he’s got an excellent electorate, it’s a very attractive part of our state, it’s a very productive part of our state and we are happy to back it at every single opportunity.
“We love hearing matters being raised by regional members and one of the things we’re going to do going forward is to have a more direct dialogue with me and the Cabinet.
“This is something I feel very, very positive about.”
In a statement, Mr McBride said Mr Marshall and Mr Lucas had committed to improving the flow of communication between the parliamentary party and regional members, including through the establishment of a monthly regional members forum.
However, Mr McBride would not respond to numerous questions regarding whether he had sought funding commitments for MacKillop from Mr Marshall or Mr Lucas.
Mr Marshall said that the forum will be established as a subcommittee of the Liberal Joint Party Room but would not be open to other regionally based independent or Labor MPs.
“It probably would be extended to some of our candidates in regional South Australia,” he said.
“It doesn’t mean that if people aren’t attending, they don’t have the ear of government.”
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell would not be drawn to comment on Mr McBride’s prospective independent bid, simply saying “I respect the decision Nick has made”.
