Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In March, South Australians will choose who governs the state for the next four years. It will be a choice between an experienced, disciplined and competent Peter Malinauskas Labor government and a mix of untested non-Labor candidates. The South Australian Liberal Party, previously seen as the natural alternative to Labor, is paralysed by disunity, scandal and inexperience. Four years ago, when Peter Malinauskas was elected premier, he outlined a vision to transform South Australia, tackle the issues that mattered and make South Australia a leader, not a follower. Today the widely held view is that he has delivered on his vision and has turned South Australia around. Whilst the following is by no means a comprehensive list, it provides some noteworthy achievements of the Malinauskas Labor government.

Since 2022, South Australia has had the strongest four years of international trade on record, with $21 billion worth of goods being sold to the world. Unemployment is at 3.9 per cent and is the equal lowest of all Australian states. On dwelling stats, construction work, jobs growth and economic growth, South Australia is now leading or amongst the highest ranking of the Australian states.

Over 15,000 homes were approved in South Australia in 2025—more than any other year in history and a 22 per cent increase over 2024. In the health sector, whilst there is still so much more to do, South Australia now has over 1,460 more nurses, 640 more doctors, 380 more allied health professionals and 300 paramedics and ambulance officers. Thirteen new or rebuilt ambulance stations have been opened, and four 24/7 pharmacies are now operating. If re-elected, a fifth is planned for the Adelaide Hills. Serving the Makin electorate region, there are now 80 more hospital beds at the Lyell McEwen Hospital and 72 more at the Modbury Hospital.

The events calendar in South Australia is packed, including the bp Adelaide Grand Final, formerly known as the Adelaide 500, which has been secured until 2034, while the LIV Golf tournament and the AFL Gather Round draw tens of thousands of people to South Australia.

School funding is at a record high. Five new technical colleges have opened, including The Heights Technical College in the Makin electorate. If re-elected, an additional three technical colleges will be built throughout the state. On energy, South Australia now has the equal lowest wholesale electricity prices.

Stronger standards for retirement villages are now in place, including caps on some fees and better transparency in contracts. If re-elected, the Malinauskas government has also announced that three new mental health assessment units will be constructed next to the Royal Adelaide, Noarlunga and Lyell McEwen hospital emergency departments, whilst the old Women's and Children's Hospital will be transformed into a dedicated aged-care precinct. Working together, the Malinauskas and Albanese governments have stepped in to save Bedford from collapse and protect the futures of 1,250 supported workers, 300 employees and clients with disabilities.

Likewise, the South Australian and Albanese governments are providing support for the Whyalla Steelworks. The Marshall Liberal government's privatisations of our train and tram services have been reversed, with both now back in public hands. Through investments in police recruitment and tackling crime, SAPOL now has the second highest rate of operational staff per 100,000 people, and South Australia now has the lowest re-offending rate in Australia. For 15 consecutive months, overall crime in South Australia has fallen.

Last year's state budget saw massive investments in infrastructure projects, including the North-South Corridor, jointly funded with the federal government; the new Women's and Children's Hospital; the High Productivity Vehicle Network; the Curtis Road level crossing removal; and safety upgrades on Main South Road between Myponga and Yankalilla. In the Makin area alone, over $14 million was committed for much-needed sports club facilities, and the decades-old septic tank community wastewater management system in the Tea Tree Gully council area is being replaced with direct home connections to SAWater mains.

In recent years I've worked closely with state MPs in the Makin electorate: Blair Boyer, Rhiannon Pearce, Olivia Savvas, Michael Brown and John Fulbrook. They are all committed and hardworking representatives for the areas and deserve to be re-elected. At a time of so much local and international uncertainty, the South Australian Malinauskas Labor government has the stability and credibility to deal with the difficult matters whilst not ignoring the daily issues facing South Australian businesses and households, and I will be doing all I can to ensure that it is re-elected.