‘When the heat’s on, Rann’s gone,’ according to Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas.
Mr Lucas says Deputy Premier Foley has been left to ‘carry the can’ with media questioning when bad news inevitably emerges whenever Premier Rann disappears overseas.
“The Rann Government continues to treat South Australians as fools by playing this game and it is now time for Mr Rann to be called to account directly by the media on these issues,” Mr Lucas said.
“There have been many examples in the last four years, including Mr Rann disappearing overseas at key times in the Randall Ashbourne corruption affair investigation.”
However in the last six months the number of examples has increased:
Dec 2005
• Rann overseas when former Health Minister Stevens resigns from Cabinet
• Rann overseas when $400,000 payout to Ashbourne for wrongful dismissal
Apr 2006
• Rann overseas when major budget problems and broken election promises announced as well as budget being delayed by four months
May 2006
• Rann overseas when major cost blowouts for transport projects announced and CEO of Transport Department (Dr James Horne) dumped
Dr Horne was one of the state’s most senior public service CEOs. In fact, on his appointment just over a year ago, he was described personally by Mr Rann as ‘… exactly the kind of new talent this State needs …’
“Again the Premier should have been the one available to answer questions such as why has Dr Horne, after just one year in the position, become the scapegoat for four years of non-delivery on infrastructure and transport projects?
“But again the hapless Mr Foley, rather than Premier Rann, is left to explain why Dr Horne has gone.
“It is now time for Mr Rann to have the courage to be accountable, front up and answer questions on the difficult issues as well as always being available for the good news announcements.”
