Labor promises $100 million for buses, hospital, college and more

A re-elected Labor government would spend $100 million on new infrastructure and services in Murray Bridge, Premier Peter Malinauskas has revealed.

The premier and Hammond candidate Simone Bailey staged a launch event at Murray Bridge’s wharf on Thursday, where they revealed plans to spend:

• $50 million on a new technical college to be built alongside Murray Bridge High School, a “game-changer” where the next generation of home builders and engineers would learn
• $33.8 million on an Adelaide Metro bus service connecting Murray Bridge to the city, including Footy Express services and buses every 30 minutes during peak periods
• $15 million on a new maternity ward and renal unit at the Murray Bridge hospital – both facilities which had been identified as needed
• An extra $8.6 million on new facilities at Fraser Park Primary School, on top of the $10.8 million already promised
• $5.6 million for permanent, salaried paramedics to handle patient transfers to and from Murray Bridge, freeing up capacity elsewhere in the system
• $320,000 building a new home for Bertha the bunyip
• Another $320,000 for a new boat ramp at Sturt Reserve

A Labor government would also build a new Murray Bridge police station; and would make Murray Bridge residents eligible for the Patient Assistance Transfer Scheme for the first time, making it easier for local patients to access regular treatment in Adelaide.

“Today, for the first time in living memory, a major political party has got a substantial plan for Murray Bridge,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“The Liberal Party has consistently taken Murray Bridge for granted, and the Labor Party has never even bothered to turn up.

“Well, this election, we are turning up, with a high-quality candidate and a comprehensive plan.”

He credited Ms Bailey for her “rather bullish” advocacy for the region.

For her part, the local candidate said she was ready to contribute to the Murraylands’ exciting future.

“For too long, this community has been taken for granted,” she said.

“I’ve been working hard, having conversations with locals and our community, to get things happening.

“I’m so proud to be part of the Malinauskas team, delivering real, achievable commitments for Murray Bridge, and this is just the beginning.”

The funding would flow as long as Labor won government in March, Mr Malinauskas said, regardless of whether Ms Bailey won in Hammond.

Bridge and freight bypass remain a work in progress

Almost the only major project not given funding as part of the announcement was the proposal to duplicate the Swanport Bridge and a freight bypass through Monarto.

The federal government committed $525 million to the project last year, and the state government $125 million; but its total cost had been estimated at something closer to $1 billion.

Would SA budge?

“We continue to negotiate with the federal government,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“We have a firm position about this: we think the federal government should commit more to this project.

“I hold out hope.”

How does the premier rate Labor’s chances locally?

The premier insisted that Ms Bailey remained the underdog against “tired” Liberal MP Adrian Pederick.

But he encouraged voters to think about the impact they could have at the ballot box.

“If the people of Murray Bridge want the same as they’ve had in the past, (they should) vote for the Liberal Party,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“If you want a $100 million investment – and a program across health, education and public transport – then you’ve got a choice with Simone Bailey.”

The two major-party candidates, and all the others, will go head-to-head at a public election forum to be hosted by Murray Bridge News at the Bridgeport Hotel on March 10, ahead of election day on March 21.

• Read more: Meet the candidates