Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP has supported the formal request made today by Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon Dan Cregan MP that the House be recalled to sit on 8-10 February 2022 to provide Parliament oversight of management of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
Premier Steven Marshall received the written request from Mr Cregan today, supported by the signatures of all Labor and crossbench MPs.
“When parliament rose for the year it appeared that we had COVID under control but with the onset of Omicron and subsequent alarming rises in case numbers and hospitalisations, our health services and community and business sectors are now under great duress and all of SA’s leaders must rise to the challenges being faced”, Mr Ellis said.
“I take my responsibility as a State MP representing the Narungga electorate very seriously and believe it is necessary to recall Parliament in order for me to appropriately take the concerns of my community to the decision-makers for full accountability.
“A litany of questions that should have answers irrespective of whether a new variant emerged or not are daily raised with me and it is greatly concerning that getting answers for my community has been unacceptably difficult without direct briefings, resulting in widespread confusion and distress”, Mr Ellis said.
“Recalling Parliament to sit during this time of a pandemic and whilst under a State of Emergency is important, and vitally will ensure that the required planning, support systems and resources allocations occurs, along with consistent and clear communication”.