SA Election 2018: Big field of candidates in running for Mount Gambier

BELL: There are many – baseload power, jobs, retention of our youth, drug use and a reduction of services. 

BISSETT: We need to protect our water sources so we support a ban on fracking in the South East. We need to develop a strong, innovative forestry products industry, which would address issues of unemployment and economic stimulus. We are dedicated to ensuring the problems with the regions’ healthcare are addressed to stop the bleeding of health services from our region. Training and education opportunities are limited so we need to develop this area through the support for industry centres of excellence in forestry, dairy, aviation and aged care

JONES: Maintaining viable businesses in the SE without resorting to fracking.  Our mighty forestry industry must be supported to create jobs.  Business development opportunities are on the doorstep now, with the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and we can create a centre of excellence for disability services in Mt Gambier.   

MARSH: Overcoming the neglect and disdain shown to our region by 16-years of a Labor Government. We’ve seen our forests sold without regard to the loss of jobs and confidence within the industry. We’ve seen the collapse of our second airline leading to higher airfares and reduced services.. A lack of funding to maintain roads and basic infrastructure has resulted in dangerous conditions and a reduced speed limit on many regional roads. 

SAGE: Being recognised for the gross domestic product that is generated from the region and being able to gain our fair share of future funding to assist us with infrastructure for the region to prosper and thus grow our economy.  The cost of power and doing business in the electorate.

What do you see as the major issue affecting SA agriculture? How would you rectify this?

BELL: Fracking is the biggest issue in the SE. My policy of a 10-year ban on fracking is a sensible approach to addressing the communities’ concern. This allows all parties time to engage proactively without our community feeling railroaded or pressured. The highest priority is the protection of our underground water supply as everyone in the South East is dependent on this precious resource.

BISSETT:  Agriculture is an important industry for Mount Gambier and has not received the right level of support from the Labor government who prefer to spend their money to create the world’s most expensive hospital and during an election make promise to put a tram in Norwood. Where is the investment for agriculture which is the backbone of our state’s economy? Australian Conservatives believe in investing where money will grow the economy and build communities which is why we would increase the research budget within PIRSA.

JONES: The SE is too valuable and important an agricultural area to allow fracking to occur here. With $3.2 billion dollars worth of agricultural production in the district, we don’t want to risk that to mining interests.  We need to explore and create new markets and the SE is well placed to promote its “clean and green” produce.

MARSH:  Agriculture in the region needs certainty for investment. Certainty that our water will be protected from the threat of contamination from fracking. Certainty that water licences will be based on good science not on unrealistic ideology. Certainty that markets will be available for our agricultural produce. The Liberals will halt fracking in the SE protecting our groundwater resources and ensuring agricultural businesses can grow and create jobs. We will reform the natural resources management system to reduce red tape and costs to landholders. 

SAGE: The cost and right to use water through NRM levies for both agriculture and forestry. This includes the right to replant in areas previously planted to forest plantation and the right to farm prime agricultural land. 

 NRM levies, cost of power and fuel, last mile issues,  access to properties with bridge load limits and our fair share of fuel taxes and GST to fund these infrastructure upgrades in the future. We could rectify these by having state, local and federal government work together with funding levels proportionate to GDP and fuel tax paid in the region.

What are your views on allowing mining on prime farming land in Mount Gambier?

BELL:  I am against certain types of mining on prime farming land and I believe there have been some noteworthy attempts to protect the interests of farmers ahead of the might of multinational mining companies, but both major parties seem tone deaf when it comes to this issue. The difficulty also arises, when it comes to defining prime agricultural land. What I deem prime land may not be the same as someone else.

BISSETT: We will amend legislation to protect our arable farmland from open cut mining. Most mineral deposits are outside of these areas and we believe the mining industry does not need to step on to our arable land, which is necessary for our ongoing food production. Arable land makes up only 5 per cent of land in this state so our amendment would support farmers while having little impact on the mining sector. Our plan is to support the agriculture sector which puts food on our tables, gives jobs to people and adds $25 billion to the state’s economy each year.

JONES: Once the land has been used for mining it is lost as prime farming land, That’s a cost we can never afford.

MARSH: Our prime farming land has, in many cases, been passed down through many generations and should be passed down to many generations to come without the threat of land contamination and degradation from unrestricted mining practices. We will protect the underground water resources of the Limestone Coast by imposing a 10-year moratorium on any exploration for or development of unconventional gas mining to ensure jobs and allow agricultural industries to continue to grow. We will also enable the Small Business Commissioner to support the needs of primary producers in dealings with resource companies.

SAGE: Prime farming land is not an infinite resource and needs protecting. We also need to balance that against things such as road making material.

Do you support the moratorium on genetically-modified crops? Why?

BELL: No, it puts our farmers at a disadvantage when it comes to the rest of Australia. But, if the government of the day wants to pursue this course of action, they must also commit to advertising and promoting the GM-free status of SA, so farmers can attract a higher premium for their product.

JONES: Dignity Party have supported the extension of the moratorium to date. Personally, though, I believe that humans have successfully been genetically modifying crops for centuries with cross breeding. With the world population growing, we have to keep up, as well as ensuring our own food security.

MARSH: We need an independent review into why SA should remain GM-free. I do not support the moratorium in its present form because it has not been based on science but on scaremongering from the government. SA could greatly increase production via the use of GM crops if factual evidence can be produced to alleviate any lingering public doubt. There may be a benefit to SA to remain GM-free but genuine independent evidence must be provided so the whole state and all industry participants can make a truly informed decision. 

SAGE: It is an issue that science cannot agree on or individual farmers. GM-free is a status many have fought to protect to keep their GM-free premium product brand, but I am no expert in this field. Community attitude would need to change along with advances in technology and I’m sure evidence-based science will determine that in the future.

ANTI-DRUG campaigner Kate Amoroso says the drug ‘ice’ is devastating families but the government is not dealing with the problem.

"I will be a strong, local voice who will represent everyone in our community, regardless of their socio-economic, ethnic, or political background,” she said.

INCUMBENT Troy Bell is passionate about backing business to create jobs, easing cost of living pressures and supporting regional South Australians.

 One of his priorities is the protection of the region’s precious underground water supply from fracking, advocating for a 10-year moratorium.

“My whole life has revolved around regions and country people. I understand country communities and am acutely aware of the issues we face from a ‘city-centric’ government,” he said.

Mr Bell was born and raised in Mount Gambier and is a former teacher. He has three children.

GREGG Bissett is running to ensure Mount Gambier has a sound economic environment that provides real opportunities. “Mount Gambier has been overlooked by successive governments and has not realised its potential as an economic powerhouse for the state,” he said.

“Strong representation, innovative ideas and practical polices will be provided by myself and the Australian Conservatives team.”

Mr Bissett comes from a trade background and now manages agribusiness projects across Australia in addition to his farm.

THE push to introduce fossil fuels into the state’s food bowl has driven Greens candidate Gavin Clarke into the political arena to seek a more sustainable future.

“Why invest millions of dollars in a backward moving industry that will be gone in a few generations for the benefit of a few greedy corporations?” he said. 

“This is without mentioning the potentially devastating threat it poses to our pristine aquifers.”

Mr Clarke, who is a performing artist and small business owner, says gas is “short-term greed” but “farming can be forever.”

BARRISTER, lawyer, academic and business operator Lance Jones wants to see SA grow into a healthier, happier and safer place for all.

He says the National Disability Insurance Scheme has created conditions for growth and opportunity across the community.

Encouraging small businesses to take up these opportunities will greatly assist people with disability and mental health issues to secure the support and inclusion they need.

“SA needs to ensure the rights of people with mental illness, and disability are upheld in all facets of life -including business, access and the justice system,” he said.

LIBERAL candidate Craig Marsh believes Mount Gambier needs a strong voice with the benefit of a strong team backing them. 

He says the biggest challenge for the electorate is overcoming the neglect and disdain shown to the region by 16 years of a Labor government.

But he says the Liberals have a strong plan for real change in the regions,  reinstating regional boards for country hospitals and enhancing the rural health workforce, fixing the backlog in country hospital capital works, allocating more funding for apprenticeships and traineeships, and providing a 10-year moratorium on fracking.

Mr Marsh has lived in the Mount Gambier electorate for almost 20 years with 18 of these working at the Bureau of Meteorology.

DISTRICT Council of Grant mayor Richard Sage believes Mount Gambier will play a key role in who forms government in the upcoming election.

“I would love the opportunity to represent our community and be able to get the assistance they need as the second largest city in the state,” he said. “It will help drive our economy and improve our opportunities.”

Mr Sage has served community on council for more than 20 years and has been mayor for nearly nine years.  He is a brick layer and carpenter by trade and worked for local government for 25 years as an authorised animal and plant control officer.

LABOR’S Isabel Scriven says her candicacy is a win for women and young people in regional politics.

The 21 year-old wants to focus on regional development, education, women’s advancement, the arts and workers’ protections.

She recently joined her family’s Mount Gambier painting business, having previously worked for both a federal senator and a state MP in Adelaide.

She studied Fashion Design at tafeSA before studying Foundation Studies at University of SA, and has worked as a swimming instructor and in hospitality.