ELECTION campaigns usually have at least two contenders showering our communities with promises.
With only six weeks until we go to the polls, it seems to be a one-way campaign.
In recent months the Labor Party has made pledges worth tens of millions of dollars for the Limestone Coast.
These pledges of funding range from a new technical school, health services – including the Mount Gambier, Keith and Naracoorte hospitals – and today the Mount Gambier saleyards.
Whether correctly or not, Labor has traditionally been seen by the voters as the party with a strong-hold on health and education.
On the other hand, primary industries, particularly farming, is the other end of the pendulum for Labor – it’s not Labor’s strong point.
Previous Labor governments have been well known for tribalism – looking after its loyal voter base and winning over marginal seat voters.
The Liberal Party is similar when it comes to retaining and winning marginal seats but that’s about where similarities stop.
Nothing new – it’s called pork-barrelling and it works in marginal seats.
So why would Labor commit $3m towards the Mount Gambier sale yards and the State Liberals are yet to do so?
Is it a reborn Labor Party, a party that intends to embrace the whole State in a planned utopian society?
Probably not but rather a pragmatic move to win the hearts and minds of voters in the Limestone Coast.
Labor knows it can’t win the seats of MacKillop and Mount Gambier, but it might be able to win the support of Nick McBride and Troy Bell.
Mr McBride threatened to leave the Liberal Party last year and Mr Bell is currently an independent.
Both can’t be ruled out of supporting the formation of a future Labor Government if they hold the balance of power.
Although it would be treachery for either man to do so without the support of their community, Labor is trying to win that very support for them.
