Regions need a better effort from Brock

Yesterday in State Parliament Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock failed to answer a series of questions about regional issues, including marine parks and the loss of jobs at Forestry SA.

Yesterday in State Parliament Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock failed to answer a series of questions about regional issues, including marine parks and the loss of jobs at Forestry SA.

On ABC 639 later in the day Mr Brock said:

“I got four or five questions today, most of them were nothing to do with my portfolio.”

“Each of the questions asked of the Minister for Regional Development in State Parliament yesterday were directly related to issues of real concern in regional South Australia,” said Shadow Minister for Regional Development Steven Griffiths.

“Mr Brock is mistaken if he thinks the people of regional South Australia are going to be satisfied with him ducking questions about regional South Australia on the basis it’s not his ‘portfolio responsibility’.

“Mr Brock is the Minister for Regional Development and he needs to start acting like it.

“Regional South Australia needs the Minister to stand up and argue their case at every opportunity, not hide behind other Ministers.

“As Regional Development Minister in a Labor Government that has a history of neglect of regional South Australia Mr Brock carries enormous responsibility.

“Mr Brock needs to recognise that to date he has failed to secure a fair deal for regional South Australia and begin to use his considerable leverage effectively.

“Geoff Brock needs to understand that the Premier needs him a great deal more than Mr Brock needs the Premier. “Mr Brock’s reputation will be on the line during the next four years and I urge him not to neglect the people of regional South Australia.

“Geoff Brock was on the record before the State election supporting proper access to compensation for CFS volunteers and opposing the Labor Government’s marine park plans.”

“Mr Brock needs to keep his promises.

“After 12 years of Labor neglect, regional South Australians deserve better.”