PREMIER Steven Marshall has ruled out forming a government with independents, including incumbent Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell, if the Liberal Party does not win a majority of seats at the next election.
In the lead up to the 2018 election, Mr Marshall said he would not seek to form government with independents or minor parties.
When asked by The Border Watch whether he would be taking the same approach for the 2022 election, the Premier responded by saying: “absolutely”.
During a whistle-stop visit to Mount Gambier, Mr Marshall said the state election, to be held in March next year, was an important one as the liberal government had momentum with the economy and a focus on regional South Australia.
“For us to continue to do our work we need to have a majority liberal government at the state election,” Mr Marshall said.
The Premier’s comments were despite the liberals currently holding minority government with the support of independents such as Mr Bell.
“We are asking people to back a majority government… the reality is majority governments deliver and I think we have been able to demonstrate what we have been able to do in extraordinary circumstances with the Covid pandemic and, at the same time, deliver improved outcomes for regional South Australia and a massive growth in the economy,” Mr Marshall said.
“We are asking people to back majority government because that is going to deliver stable government and deliver better outcomes.
“To be really clear, we asked this at the last election and, in fact all the media commentators were very clear that there was no way that could occur, actually that’s the way the people of South Australia voted and we’re asking that again,” Mr Marshall said.
Independent MP Troy Bell said the electorate and its people were not bargaining chips.
“Mount Gambier is the state’s second largest city and our region is an economic powerhouse in its own right and deserves to be front and centre of any party’s plans,” Mr Bell said.
“My door is always open to parties and premiers who have our best interests at heart and I will be working with all sides, regardless of politics to deliver the “Future Mount Gambier and District” plan – of which they all have a copy.
“The Premier was here on the weekend and had an ideal opportunity to put forward his plans for our region.
“So far, all we’ve seen from the Liberal Party is a $660m Basketball stadium for the city of Adelaide and Billions of dollars for South Road.”
While in Mount Gambier Mr Marshall also spoke at the campaign launch for liberal candidate Ben Hood held on Saturday night.
