Patrick Goldsmith, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
Just four months after focusing its efforts entirely on Yorke Peninsula for Country Cabinet, the state government has left the region without much to celebrate.
This government’s second budget has a strong focus on housing and health, with the abolishment of stamp duty for first home buyers and an overall $2.3 billion investment in key health priorities.
As promised, there are no extra taxes, but large investment in infrastructure projects and flood support has resulted in an operating deficit of $249 million, rather than the previously forecast $233m surplus.
About $588.4m has been earmarked for regional projects and initiatives; however, a disappointed Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis said Yorke Peninsula communities were granted very little in specific funding.
“It makes for two budgets in a row where we’ve seen little investment in our area,” Mr Ellis said.
“In the glossy budget overview there was precious little for a number of regions and we suffered the absolute embarrassment of not even being listed.
“For me it was really important, after showing the government so many of the local infrastructure needs, particularly with health and roads, that we saw investment, and we didn’t.
“There’s a commitment to expand the cancer services available at Wallaroo Hospital and the continuing of funding for Highway One through to Lochiel, but that’s pretty much it.
“I’ll be going to estimate hearings and questioning where some of the initiatives which aren’t specific to any one region (are headed), to see if any of that is coming our way.” Mr Ellis, who has vowed to continue working alongside the government as an independent, said this result was frustrating given the high level of recent engagement.
“One of the most disappointing parts of this is we had the entire cabinet up for Country Cabinet and they appeared to be interested in the issues,” he said.
“It’s hard to believe we would be forgotten after that, so hopefully the interest was sincere.”
This article appeared in the Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 20 June 2023.
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