Federal Labor’s decision to appoint a Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Western Australia is a snub to South Australia.
This week, Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten, appointed a Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Western Australia stating:
“…this new position that I’ve created will make WA’s voice inside Labor even stronger.” (SMH, 04/03/14)
Federal Labor has no position in its Shadow Ministry specifically for South Australia.
“Based on Mr Shorten’s comments and actions, it appears that South Australia has no presence in the Federal Labor Party,” said Liberal spokesman Rob Lucas.
“Either Premier Weatherill has made no representation to Mr Shorten about having a representative for South Australia, or Mr Weatherill made a representation to Mr Shorten, but was snubbed.
“Either way, this is embarrassing for the embattled Mr Weatherill.
“Mr Weatherill’s claim that he can get a better deal for South Australia from Canberra has been exposed as nothing more than spin – he can’t even get a good deal for SA from his own Labor colleagues in Canberra!
“Why is Federal Labor ignoring South Australia?
“What South Australia needs at this point is a strong, united Government that can work together with the Federal Government to put our State back on track.
“Only a strong partnership between a Federal Government and a Marshall Liberal Government will deliver a strong economy for our State.
“We need to work together with the Federal Government to put South Australia’s economy back on track after 12 long years of Mr Weatherill and Labor.”