Charlotte Varcoe
HOUSING shortages, education, health and the Covid-19 pandemic were highlighted as significant issues within the region following a Labor shadow cabinet visit last week.
State Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskis was joined by his entire shadow cabinet at the Mount Gambier City Hall on Sunday evening with community members invited to discuss issues.
People spoke about housing difficulties, claiming there was an alarming number of homeless residents sleeping in toilets and in tents across Mount Gambier.
Shadow Minister for Human Services Nat Cook said she was aware of the issues raised and that she would continue to advocate for better services.
“Labor is planning to release a policy surrounding the issue prior to the election,” Ms Cook said.
In addition to homelessness issues, Mr Malinauskis reiterated his previously announced policy on education which would include pre-school being available for three-year-olds.
“We are dead serious as a proper united team about taking a policy vision which is focused on the future of our State, one that will set ourselves up for the long term and presenting that to the people here of this community,” Mr Malinauskis said.
“This could be an education system that sets our kids up for the future and the great complexity that is coming their way in regards to a modern workforce.”
Mr Malinauskis also announced the promise of a cross-border commissioner during his visit on Sunday, stating living within a cross border community had presented challenges throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This has been a challenge for people on the Limestone Coast but also up in other parts of the border as well,” he said.
“It has affected businesses and has restricted access to services, friends and family and you have paid a particularly big sacrifice in the name of everybody so there has been a lot of people that should be grateful for what the residents here are doing.”
Mr Malinauskis also welcomed the Mount Gambier Labor candidate Katherine Davies, stating she was an incredibly passionate resident and community member with the interests of the Limestone Coast at the forefront.
Concerns surrounding cross border medical staff were also raised on the night with residents claiming they had found it difficult to access South Australian specialists for further care.
Advocacy for specialists to be enlisted and encouraged to work within the regions was raised and Shadow Minister for Health Chris Picton said there were a number of examples of service issues within the State overall.
“We have clearly seen these border issues exacerbating the problems in terms of being able to access [specialists] on either side of the border and this is another reason we are highlighting the need for the cross-border commissioner,” Mr Picton said.
“This is a really urgent thing across Australia that we need to grapple with and unfortunately there is no quick fix.
“It is something we are very acutely aware of,” he said.
Other issues brought up on the evening included reinstating a country cabinet, drug and alcohol support, foster careers and other health service difficulties.
