A press conference in Premier Jay Weatherill's own seat has been foiled by a protester and a political opponent, as SA-BEST party leader Nick Xenophon proposed new laws to protect vulnerable South Australians.
Gatecrasher Rob Brown stole the attention of the media when the premier held a press event outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to spruik the start of a $270 million redevelopment.
Mr Brown told reporters the Labor government no longer represented the interests of the people.
"They represent developers, they're selling off all our assets," Mr Brown said.
The angry constituent was not the only one who disagreed with Mr Weatherill's policies - local SA-BEST candidate John Noonan also hit out at the plan.
"I was wondering what he was going to try and re-announce," Mr Noonan told reporters.
"He wants to turn the Queen Elizabeth Hospital into a rehab hospital. He hasn't invested any money in oncology, in respiratory medicine or in cardiology."
Mr Noonan promised SA-BEST would restore those services but could not say how much the plan would cost.
He went on to tell reporters there was a chance the party could win more seats than the Liberals or Labor at the March 17 poll.
When questioned on whether the party should occupy more than one spot in cabinet if it did win the most seats, Mr Noonan said: "If we won more seats than the others, I would expect so, yes".
Earlier in the day, Mr Xenophon proposed new laws to protect vulnerable South Australians from neglect as well as psychological, physical and sexual abuse.
The proposals came following the Independent Commission Against Corruption's report into Adelaide's scandal-plagued Oakden nursing home, which revealed a shockingly poor level of care.
They include the establishment of a vulnerable adult protection unit to investigate allegations of abuse, and the introduction of penalties for health care staff, administrators or even ministers who failed to report abuse.
But Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said Mr Xenophon would abandon campaign promises if his candidates in particular seats failed to win.
"Nick Xenophon is actually saying: 'I'll implement this if my candidate in this seat gets elected'," Mr Marshall said.
"We've never seen this before. It's a new low from Nick Xenophon."
Share
