Regions to be better represented on Transition Committee

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP is hopeful legislation will pass through Parliament tomorrow which will mandate that a regional representative must be a member of the State's Transition Committee. 

The Bill, which will extend the emergency powers in place for the COVID-19 pandemic, was amended by Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell to include extra provisions for regional areas. 

"I was pleased to support the Member for Mount Gambier's amendment, which called for a regional representative to be included on our Transition Committee," Mr Ellis said. 

"Throughout the pandemic, there have been no cases of community transmission in some parts of our state - mainly in regional South Australia. 

"A committee with members who all reside within metropolitan Adelaide cannot possibly understand the impacts of harsh restrictions on regional communities. 

"Having representation on the Transition Committee will give our regions a voice when it comes to making decisions on future restrictions so that the best outcomes for all South Australians can be achieved."

The legislation was originally intended to extend the COVID-19 emergency powers to April 2022 but was further amended for an extension to only be provided to December 2021. 

"Premier Marshall and his team have done a fantastic job managing COVID-19, but it is important that restrictions are not in place for a day longer than necessary," Mr Ellis said. 

"If we reach late November, and it is deemed we still need these emergency powers, then we can review the powers again and make another decision. 

"I think we owe it to the people of South Australia, who have been so diligent throughout the pandemic, to continue reviewing the need for the emergency powers, so we can return to a sense of normal as soon as possible."