Are the SA Government in trouble?

[LaughingKookaburra]

On my way home from work hearing different reports about each parties policies and the publics reaction. Are Mike Ranns government in serious trouble of losing the next election?

[GWW]

I'm no political expert, but i'd say they would be if they had a decent opposition party going up against them, but the Liberals are a mess, although i think Hamilton Smith has made some progress in the last 6 months or so.

The ALP's performance has been fairly ordinary in the last 18 months though, particularly Transport (an issue i'm particularly annoyed with), and lethargy on water policy. PLUS now the Work Cover issue of the last couple of months has the potential to be a major annoyance as well leading up to the next election. With unions campaigning against a key policy of the Labour Party, it could be quite embarassing in the lead up to the next election.

[LaughingKookaburra]

I agree Hamilton-Smith has done a good job, now the rest of his party must step up. He is the first person in a long time who has actually come forward with a clear future for SA and has been on the front foot saying he will do this and that. Ok Rann is saying that he is insane and we do not have the money, but at least he has ideas and puts them out for the world to see. Who knew at the last state election that Mike Rann was going to build a brand new billion $$ hospital?? Who knew Mike Rann was going to extend the tram track costing millions??Comes out with spare of the moment ideas that have no structure to them over a period of time. Purely my opinion. I expect other members with a better political sence than me to come up with replys but thats how I honestly feel.

[blueandwhite]

As someone who has voted for the Alp at the last 2 state elections I can honestly say that I think Mr Rann is in real trouble. Not only from an opposition that is starting to get some traction but also internally within his own party. Some of his policies are really treading on peoples' feet, mainly their left feet.

[Dogwatcher]

A key seat will be in Chaffey - Karlene Maywald's electorate.
In the past decade, the Liberals have had few people keen to go up against her. It seems there's a few keen to line-up for a shot. Gives them a stronger chance of finding the right candidate.
Also worth noting the lack of country input into the Labor Government. I think only two members of the Labor Government represent country electorates, one of which is on the fringes of the city (I'd need to confirm).
People will remember the Rann Government's inaction over developing a proper water policy.
The tram debacle.
And really, what else has Labor achieved in its time in power?
It has delivered very little IMO.

[GWW]

Yeah, haven't achieved a lot apart from a lot of waffle. There was the submarine contract, but was that all due to State Labor?? Transport is a mess, and something needs to be done about it!!

[grant j]

Changing the Work Cover rules might be the end, especially when people realise that it effects every worker that could be injured from a non-skilled worker through to management.

Anyone can be injured at work and the new rules discriminate against the worker that is injured while companies with bad safety records get away scott free.

[BIG SEXY]

Changing the Work Cover rules might be the end, especially when people realise that it effects every worker that could be injured from a non-skilled worker through to management.

Anyone can be injured at work and the new rules discriminate against the worker that is injured while companies with bad safety records get away scott free.

i really disagree with ehat rann wants to do with work cover. i think it stinks. but companies with good safety records (i have had no work cover claims at all in 17 years) recieve no benefit.

perhaps between your comment and mine, bad companies rates should go up and good companies down?! i cant see any rann govt telling people they have to pay less though.

[Psyber]

WorkCover in SA and Victoria appears to have been primarily about cost-cutting. Permanently injured workers were getting huge payouts based on the loss of there future earnings over the next 20 years say, and employer groups contributing to party funds - both major parties - were upset about insurance premiums blowing out. The private insurance companies were just paying out without checking for fraud and jacking premiums. I had some involvement with SAMCOR at the time when a friend of mine was there Medical Officer. That year the quoted premium was $3 million, but they save $2.7 million by running the risk themselves, even though they provided drivers to take families shopping if the workers were unable to drive. They concluded about 1/3 of claims were faked or exaggerated.

When WorkCover came in in SA in about 1991, it was touted to be better for all, but it assumed everybody could be rehabilitated and returned to work quickly, which proved untrue. After the first two or three costly years the whole scheme was revised towards total cost containment. I have been in Victoria since 1999, so I don't know the details of theat period here, but the outcome appears to have been similar, and locals describe the same patterns as having occurred.

[Dirko]

Mike Rann get get knotted...my reason...he barracks for South

[mick]

I sincerely hope Mediocre Mike is in trouble, this is not a good government, it's not really a bad government, it's a nothing government. No vision, no action, just spin. We deserve better, I think Hamilton-Smith has made some progress, but he doesn't have much of a team behind him, I think it's pretty likely the ALP will fall across the line again at the next election and our "backwater" status confirmed.

[Squawk]

I know for a fact that the Govt is worried about the union campaign against them. I also know this budget will be tight but watch for infrastructure spending.

There is also an issue with the Marj - it might be a "Brand new" hospital but it is not a new hospital - it is a replacement hospital. It will not provide extra bed capacity than we already have - it actually will have less beds than the RAH does now.

MH-S could also do no worse than to do an audit of expenditure announcements - so many are PPPs that there is very little public money committed to new initiatives.

The AAA Credit rating was delivered on a plate to the Govt via the sale of ETSA so that could have been achieved by any party elected 6 years ago.

Stand by for the Cabinet re-shuffle - my tip is that a few current Ministers are vulnerable to being sent to the back bench. May even be worth a prediction thread on its own, similar to premiership table predictions!

[Squawk]

A key seat will be in Chaffey - Karlene Maywald's electorate.
People will remember the State Government's inaction over developing a proper water policy.

Ironically, she has a Graduate Diploma in Malting and Brewing from Ballarat Uni.

Looks like her Victorian Education has brought forth a River Murray that at best could be described as currently "malting and brewing" - albeit salt and algae!

[southee]

Mike Rann get get knotted...my reason...he barracks for South

And we never see him at games!!!!! I remember him walking around with a North scarf on about 10 years ago at Prospect!!!

The South = marginal seat....

[smac]

Mike Rann get get knotted...my reason...he barracks for South

And we never see him at games!!!!! I remember him walking around with a North scarf on about 10 years ago at Prospect!!!

The South = marginal seat....

I recall he once publicly stated (prior to being elected Premier of SA) that he enjoyed going to his 'local football club, Salisbury' for a chat and a quiet drink with mates.

In reality, it was turn up for a free feed on presentation night and talk to no one but the club Chairman.

[blueandwhite]

Mike Rann get get knotted...my reason...he barracks for South

And we never see him at games!!!!! I remember him walking around with a North scarf on about 10 years ago at Prospect!!!

The South = marginal seat....

Have seen Mr Rann at the presidents lunch at Noarlunga several times. On another occasion he was assaulted by a North Adelaide supporter at prospect.

[southee]

Mike Rann get get knotted...my reason...he barracks for South

And we never see him at games!!!!! I remember him walking around with a North scarf on about 10 years ago at Prospect!!!

The South = marginal seat....

Have seen Mr Rann at the presidents lunch at Noarlunga several times. On another occasion he was assaulted by a North Adelaide supporter at prospect.

Probably for switching sides.....

[Dogwatcher]

Mike Rann get get knotted...my reason...he barracks for South

And we never see him at games!!!!! I remember him walking around with a North scarf on about 10 years ago at Prospect!!!

The South = marginal seat....

Have seen Mr Rann at the presidents lunch at Noarlunga several times. On another occasion he was assaulted by a North Adelaide supporter at prospect.

Probably for switching sides.....

That probably would have been Don Dunstan I think.

[smac]

Mike Rann get get knotted...my reason...he barracks for South

And we never see him at games!!!!! I remember him walking around with a North scarf on about 10 years ago at Prospect!!!

The South = marginal seat....

Have seen Mr Rann at the presidents lunch at Noarlunga several times. On another occasion he was assaulted by a North Adelaide supporter at prospect.

He was also assaulted by a South supporter at a game in recent years. Apparently the elderly supporter took exception to the way he said Panthers when cheering and walked up and clocked him one.

[Strawb]

South Australia is in the same boat as Victoria Governments not really willing to do anything and more sitting on their hands and taking a wait and see option. The biggest problem is whilst this is all happening the Liberals don't have strong enough Governments and Leaders who cannot relate to public that vote for them.