“Announce and defend” Labor lives on under Weatherill

Posted on November 9, 2011

Premier Weatherill has admitted he failed to talk to the hospitality industry about changes to shop trading hours until after the decision was made by Cabinet.

Flying in the face of his commitment to end Labor’s “announce and defend” approach to decisions affecting the South Australian community, Mr Weatherill today admitted:

“I spoke to Mr Hurley as soon as the decision had been made and I spoke to Ms Neville as soon as the decision had been made and before we had made public announcements about it.” (Hansard, 8/11/11)

On radio this morning Mr Weatherill said he had spoken to the Hotels Association and they were “positively disposed to the change”. (891 ABC, 8/11/11)

But Restaurant and Catering SA CEO Sally Neville has since rebuffed the Premier’s comments saying the “disastrous deal uses our industry as a sacrificial lamb” and of Mr Weatherill – “he was very nice and courteous but that‘s not consultation”. (Indaily, 8/11/11)

Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond said Mr Weatherill had broken one of his key promises to the South Australian public.

“Mr Weatherill’s promise of a new consultative Labor Government that listens to the public before making decisions rings hollow.

“Labor under Mr Weatherill’s leadership is the same old Labor – taking the “announce and defend” approach to policies that fail to bring the community or industry groups with them.

“Government decisions will never be popular with everyone but avoiding tough discussions and keeping stakeholders in the dark is not the answer.”

Mr Weatherill has also failed to consult:

• The RAA on changes to speed limits on our country roads
• The Newport Quays Consortium on the decision to terminate the contract to develop Port Adelaide’s waterfront