Who’s promising what in Murray Bridge at this federal election?

We take a look at what the Coalition and Labor have promised this part of Barker in 2022.

Who’s promising what in Murray Bridge at this federal election?

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Alex Hamilton, Rick Shulver, Keturah Ravesteyn and Kathryn Young spruik for various candidates outside the early voting centre in Murray Bridge. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Barker might be regarded as a safe seat for the Liberals, but various parties have still promised funding to local projects in the lead-up to Saturday’s federal election.

Those in the list below may or may not go ahead, depending who wins government.

Here are the projects local to Murray Bridge, Tailem Bend and surrounds we’ve heard about so far.

Murray Bridge indoor sports hub stage two (Coalition, $3 million)

Liberal MP Tony Pasin’s big-budget promise is for $3 million for a second stage of indoor sporting facilities at Murray Bridge Showground, as Murray Bridge News reported last week.

A basketball show court, canteen and other facilities will be built regardless of whether the Coalition is returned to government – that’s stage one.

Stage two would include three additional basketball courts.

Tony Pasin, Flinders University’s Robyn Aitken and students Justin Martin and Amir Nori announce funding for a regional health hub last Wednesday. Photo: Office of Tony Pasin.

Regional health hub (Coalition, about $1.3 million)

A re-elected Coalition government would spend $3.9 million establishing three regional health hubs around Australia, including one somewhere in the Riverland Mallee Coorong region.

The hub would help more young doctors train in the region by offering extra support to the health services where they might do their placements, and the medical professionals who might supervise them.

Liberal MP Tony Pasin said training GPs in the regions made them more likely to stay when they finished studying.

University students will be able to access support at the Murray River Study Hub for the next four years if the Coalition is returned to government. Photo: Murray River Study Hub/Facebook.

River Murray Study Hub funding extension (Coalition, up to $1.2 million)

The Coalition would also extend federal funding for the River Murray Study Hub, which shares a campus with TAFE SA in Murray Bridge, until 2026.

The hub exists to support students who are working towards a university degree online, with free access to high-speed internet, study spaces and staff to help with administrative tasks and wellbeing.

Regional Education Minister Bridget McKenzie said the study hub was intended to help more regional residents complete degrees, since they were half as likely to do so when compared to their city counterparts.

That sort of investment would not happen under a Labor government, National candidate Jonathan Pietzsch said.

Hilda Grocke, Scout Wilson and Max Platten play in a sandpit while Marielle Smith and Felice Lowerson look on. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Childcare centre shade sail (Labor, $10,000)

Labor Senator Marielle Smith visited Murray Bridge Community Children’s Centre last week to promise $10,000 for a new shade sail, to cover a sandpit, if Labor wins government.

“In childcare we can make a huge difference to children’s lives,” she said.

“Having facilities where children can engage in sun-safe outdoor play … is really exciting.”

Meet the candidates for Barker

Murray Bridge News will host a public forum with the candidates for Barker at Tailem Bend Town Hall on the evening of Tuesday, May 17.


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