Labor division and disunity has continued under Premier Weatherill’s watch, this time over the issue of same-sex marriage.
Bitter divisions have been revealed today as senior Labor MPs are unhappy about Mr Weatherill pushing to legislate for same-sex marriage in South Australia, because it is a Federal issue.
These Labor MPs are openly telling journalists Premier Weatherill should be concentrating on important issues such as the economy, cost of living and jobs rather than issues like same-sex marriage.
“This is the latest in a series of division and disunity issues in the South Australian Labor Party this year under Premier Weatherill’s leadership,” said Shadow Minister for Health Rob Lucas.
Mr Lucas said other examples included:
• Legislative Council President John Gazzola and Premier Weatherill sparring publicly about freedom of speech and media coverage of Parliament.
• Premier Weatherill and Finance Minister O’Brien disagreeing over cuts to the Police Budget and staffing levels.
• Premier Weatherill and Finance Minister O’Brien embarrassingly contradicting one another over the underwriting of construction insurance following insurer QBE’s decision to vacate the market.
• Labor MP Leesa Vlahos condemning the Weatherill Labor Government’s handling of school stationery contracts.
• Labor MP Frances Bedford condemning the Weatherill Labor Government’s handling of school stationery contracts.
“And this is on top of a constant flow of leaks from Mr Weatherill and his Cabinet and government departments!” said Mr Lucas.
“This week has also seen Mr Weatherill‘s own CEO intervene and block his twitter feed from his own department’s website and the Speaker reprimand him for his behaviour in Parliament.
“Instead of a competent Government, South Australians have Mr Weatherill and his Labor Government focused on division and disunity.”
On 22 March this year Mr Weatherill told journalists:
“I think any time when we’re talking about ourselves and not talking about the people of Australia, the people of South Australia, then it’s a distraction from what people have put us here to do. So in that sense it is damaging.”
“If you can’t even manage your own Party, then how can you be trusted to manage the business of running the state?” said Mr Lucas.