Media Monitoring 30 - 31 March 2015
891 ABC Adelaide, Adelaide hosted by Peter Goers
31 Mar 2015 8:57 PM
Goers interviews Michael Pengilly, Finniss MP, to talk about Kangaroo Island. They talk
about Wendy Campana, Commissioner, Kangaroo Island, and Pengilly says that people
need to understand what her job as the commissioner actually means and entails. Pengilly
says that he has encountered a number of people who are not entertained by the prospect
of having a commissioner for Kangaroo Island, however he is interested in what happens to
the position.
891 ABC Adelaide, Adelaide hosted by Ian Henschke
31 Mar 2015 10:22 AM
Continuing Interview with Jane Mussared, CEO, Council on the Ageing. Caller Paul says he
is sick and tired of the $190 figure being quoted on council rates, because it is $190 a
quarter rather than a year. Mussared says she understood it was per year. She says the
Commonwealth has been clear that, where there is a spouse, partner or dependent of
someone entering aged care, the family home is not part of the assessment. She says there
are concessional places available for entering a home. She says there are home care
packages available, but she does not believe that supply currently matches demand. She
says they want to provide more information on this service. She says there Commonwealth
removed $30 million a year in funding to the state across all concessions. She says the state
decided to target only council concessions when it came to covering this shortfall. She says
the value of this cut was the equivalent to the Commonwealth cut. She says it is a lot of
money for people on pensions.
891 ABC Adelaide, Adelaide hosted by Ian Henschke
31 Mar 2015 9:34 AM
Interview with Wendy Campana, Commissioner for Kangaroo Island, and Peter Clements,
Mayor, Kangaroo Island. Campana says she will not be living on the island because much of
the work is with Adelaide-based state agencies, and will frequently commute to the island.
Henschke says she has been appointed to a five year term. Campana says the legislation
requires her to work with the community to identify management plans on emerging issues.
She says the Kangaroo Island Futures Authority has already done a lot of work which her
work will be based on. She says she will also need to form local advisory groups. She says
she will work with SA Government agencies and ministers to try and unblock some of the
blockages that exist. Henschke says he found out this morning that there is already a
Kangaroo Island Futures Advisory Board chaired by John Rau as minister and with many
people on the board. He says these include Raymond Spencer, Jane Jeffreys, the previous
mayor, chair of the Good Food Kangaroo Island group and Renewal SA head Jim Hallion.
He asks how many boards and commissioners are needed for a small island. Campana says
the commissioner role came as a result of this group, and will take over from the authority
which will cease to exist from June 30. Henschke says the cost of the ferry to Kangaroo
Island is a major issue for people. Campana says this is a fundamental issue for people,
both visitors to and residents of the island. She says she has received much feedback from
the community on this. She says people can get in touch with her with their views on
Kangaroo Island. Henschke reads out a listener text message who says the only blockage
on Kangaroo Island they can see is the monopoly Sealink has on the ferry service. Campana
says she is not sure of the arrangement between Sealink and the SA Government, but will
look into it. She says the airport and cost of flights to the island is another issue. She says
Rex Airlines is the only airline that currently flies in, but a proposal has been made to
upgrade the airport to receive larger planes and hopefully other airlines. Henschke says a
listener has asked if the island is a lifestyle choice, as Tony Abbott recently suggested about
remote communities. Campana says people on the island are currently doing incredible work
and there are incredible opportunities for the island in regards to tourism and other
industries. Clements says he is not happy with the monopoly at all, and they do not want a
monopoly. He says it is embarrassing that you can fly to Bali for five nights for the cost of
going to Kangaroo Island on the ferry. He says the aviation situation is the same. He says
this disadvantages the island by adding 25 to 30% extra to the cost of living, and they are
$200 a week below the average wage. Henschke reads out a text message from listener
Jay, who he says he does not think is Jay Weatherill, who says that the cost of the ferry puts
off the huge grey nomads market. Clements says local real estate is cheap and
accommodation yields are high. He says they need more builders, infrastructure and
everything on the island. He says he has no doubt the island is on the cusp of something
great. Henschke says they have been told that John Rau was not available to speak to, but
the Opposition says the office of the commissioner costs $1 million to run. Clements says
the commissioner takes over from the Kangaroo Island Futures Authority, and the whole
island are very welcoming of a new commissioner. Caller Kim says the cost seems to be an
indulgence and he would prefer it to go to hospitals. Campana says the legislation ensures
the islanders receive the benefits of the role. She says she is not about wasting money and
she will need to be squeaky clean. She says the cost of visiting the island is a fundamental
issue that needs addressing. She says it is an icon, up there with Uluru, the Sydney Opera
House and the Barrier Reef.
ABC North and West SA, Port Pirie hosted by Sarah Tomlinson
31 Mar 2015 8:41 AM
Interview with David O'Loughlin, President, Local Government Association of Australia,
about the rural speed limit review. O'Loughlin says local councils have done research on
road accidents and have found that many were killed by not wearing seatbelts, or other
issues such as driving under the influence or driving without a license. O'Loughlin says he
thinks these issues need to be addressed before speed limits in rural areas. Tomlinson says
the Wakefield Regional Council and the District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys are in
support of the proposal. O'Loughlin says the South Eastern Freeway is well designed for
people who need to leave the road, but there has not been enough investment in connector
roads to make them safe. Tomlinson says the councils meeting Tony Piccolo, SA Minister for
Road Safety, tonight include Port Pirie Regional Council, Port Augusta Council, District
Council of Mount Remarkable, District Council of Barunga West, Wakefield Regional
Council, and the District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys.
ABC Riverland SA, Renmark hosted by Newsreader
31 Mar 2015 8:30 AM
Country Health SA says there will be no change to nursing services in Cadell and Morgan
despite the local council pushing for an increase.
ABC North and West SA, Port Pirie hosted by Sarah Tomlinson
30 Mar 2015 8:42 AM
Tomlinson says State politicians have met about 200 members of the community of
Peterborough last night for Country Cabinet. In a report, SA Minister for Regional
Development Geoff Brock says he spoke to the local mayor, the RBA and the local hospital
about three weeks ago, and a concern over the unsealed helicopter pad was expressed to
him then, so he has committed $70,000 towards that project for the Council to coordinate.
On the subject of access to mental health services in the area, Brock says Health Minister
Martin Hamilton-Smith has relevant discussions on that topic today, while Brock says he has
also spoken to Minister [Jack] Snelling. Brock says the Premier has reported questions from
locals will be answered within 90 days, and he thanks the work by the Peterborough Council
and Rotary Club to put the event on. On the topic of unemployment linked to forestry work
and youth unemployment, Brock says he is working with a regional development fund, made
up of $15m for four years, and which has received many applications of interest for funding
from businesses which are showing 'innovative thinking'. Brock says he is also working
closely with councils and RDA's. Brock also says he has committed fund for a cultural
development officer to be stationed in the Peterborough area for the next three years.
ABC North and West SA, Port Pirie hosted by Sarah Tomlinson
31 Mar 2015 8:35 AM
Interview by Isabella Pittaway with Tony Piccolo, SA Minister for Road Safety, about speed
limits on roads. Tomlinson says Piccolo will meet eight councils from SA's north and west in
Port Pirie tonight to discuss the rural speed limit review. Tomlinson says the SA Government
is considering reducing the speed limit on rural roads from 110 kilometres per hour to 100
excluding national highways. Piccolo says he will be explaining the rationale behind the
proposal at the discussion tonight, and there will be representatives from the University of
Adelaide research centre and police. Piccolo says some local councils are concerned about
increased travel times under the proposal. Piccolo says Wakefield Regional Council and the
District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys are in support of the proposal.
ABC Riverland SA, Renmark hosted by Newsreader
31 Mar 2015 7:31 AM
Country Health SA says there will be no change to nursing services in Cadell and Morgan
despite the local council pushing for an increase.
891 ABC Adelaide, Adelaide hosted by Peter Goers
30 Mar 2015 8:57 PM
Continuing Regular Segment: Soap Box After Dark
Goers talks to Rodney Bell, a Kangaroo Island farmer, who talks about having Wendy
Campana as a commissioner. Bell describes her as a breath of fresh air.
891 ABC Adelaide, Adelaide hosted by Peter Goers
30 Mar 2015 8:40 PM
Regular Segment: Soap Box After Dark. Interview with Wendy Campana, Commissioner,
Kangaroo Island. Goers says Deputy Premier John Rau last week announced Campana as
the new Commissioner of Kangaroo Island, following her work for the Local Government
Association. Campana explains that this is the first time that Kangaroo Island has been given
a Commissioner. She says that Kangaroo Island is very special, and is considered as a
tourism destination by international visitors, along with the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney
Harbour Bridge, the Great Barrier Reef, and Uluru. Goers says he is sick of seeing
advertisements for the five star lodge, which he says only the very wealthy can use.
Campana says the island needs to sort out its airport so that it can get bigger planes in.
Goers says this is a good move by the State Government for tourism and the food and wine
industries. Campana says the local Mayor is very excited about the prospects for the island,
and she praises the local council as terrific. Campana states that she worked for the LGA for
25 years. Goers asks Campana what problems she might face in her job, and she mentions
transportation and financial issues as being the most challenging. Campana brings up
Kangaroo Island's 'discover the things that really matter in life' slogan which she praises as a
great brand. Goers and Campana share their admiration for the products and wildlife found
in Kangaroo Island, including a gin distillery. Campana is asked about transportation fares
and mentions that this issue was discussed by the Kangaroo Island Future Authority and the
community. Campana says the cost of taking the ferry or flying can be prohibitive for some.
Goers says there is also a push for a faster ferry service.
ABC, Adelaide hosted by Emma Rebellato
30 Mar 2015 7:07 PM
Tom Koutsantonis, SA Treasurer has vowed to fix a controversial cut to pensioner
concessions, which could see low income households pay nearly $200 more in council rates
per year. Koutsantonis blames the Federal Govt for the cuts.
891 ABC Adelaide, Adelaide hosted by Newsreader
30 Mar 2015 6:02 PM
Over the plans to scrap council concessions for pensioners and low income earners, the SA
Government has hinted a solution. Tom Koutsantonis, SA Treasurer, will reveal his plans
after May. He doesn't want the Commonwealth to have its way over this issue.
891 ABC Adelaide, Adelaide hosted by Michael Smyth
30 Mar 2015 5:27 PM
Continuing Interview with Felicia Whiting, director, Infratech, and Colin Byles, CEO, Northern
Areas Council. Byles joins the interview and says Kyam Maher [SA Minister for
Manufacturing and Innovation] and [Regional Development Minister Geoff] Brock have
visited the project at Jamestown. He says the Council had to be convinced of the benefits of
the waste water plant, as it is not their core business. Byles says the solar panels will cut
down the evaporation rate and increase the amount of water able to be put back into the
system. Whiting says that they are expecting construction to finish by the end of April. She
confirms that they plan to do this project in three other lagoons in the Jamestown treatment
plant and other lagoons in Gladstone. She says that they have received enquiries from
university groups abroad seeking to visit the project. She hopes other councils take up the
technology.
ABC Eyre Peninsula and West Coast, Port Lincoln hosted by Annette Marner
30 Mar 2015 5:10 PM
Interview with David O'Loughlin, president, [SA] Local Government Association. Marner says
that according to some ABC news report, some regional councils are having difficulties in
getting the rates from their constituents. Marner says that according to news, the Loxton
Waikerie Council owes more than $1.4m in unpaid rates. Marner says this is nearly 39% of
its total rate revenue. Marner says that according to Ruth Firstbrook, Loxton Waikerie
Council, many ratepayers are still recovering from the drought and may be finding it difficult
to keep up with payments. Marner says the Port Augusta City Council is threatening to sell
44 properties to recover $655,000 of outstanding rates. O'Loughlin says he is very
concerned with the stories that Marner has just told. O'Loughlin says it puts pressure on the
council to seek to cover the costs unpaid by ratepayers. O'Loughlin says they try to make
sure that rates are kept low because everybody pays their fair share. O'Loughlin says they
will attach the rates to the property and will be going after the property if necessary.
O'Loughlin says it is prescribed under the law that late fees have to be charged. O'Loughlin
says that if the rates are not payed for three years, the council can intervene and sell the
property and recover the rates from the process. O'Loughlin says that move is taken as a
last resort. O'Loughlin says it is important for people to realise that it is a fair and equitable
system and it can't tolerate ratepayers who do not pay their bills. O'Loughlin says the the
rate revenue of Loxton Waikerie Council. O'Loughlin urges people who are having difficulties
in paying their rates to contact their local council. O'Loughlin says local councils can enable
people to either have a lower payment frequently or to defer the rates and have it sit against
the property. O'Loughlin says that the latter option allows the council to recover the rates
when the property is sold. O'Loughlin says the rate is attached to the property and not to the
person. O'Loughlin says they don't care who fixes the problem [with the collection of rates]
but instead, they just want the problem to be fixed. O'Loughlin says there is a 160,000
pensioners and concession card holders across SA who receive $190 or $100 off of their
council rate. O'Loughlin says that if the SA Government wants to change the way how this is
delivered, it is fine by them. O'Loughlin says they just want to make sure that the pensioners
and concession card holders know that a cut is forecast and save up for their rates.
O'Loughlin says pensioners and concession card holders who want to join the campaign to
have the cuts overturned; they can contact their local MP. O'Loughlin says they are very
pleased to hear that the [Federal] treasurer has made a quick move on the issue.