But the conservative Christian party – which is seeking a political comeback under its lead candidate Tom Kenyon, a former Labor Party minister – says bringing similar legislation into state parliament will be the first order of business “once elected at the March state election”.
“South Australians of faith must have their religious freedoms safeguarded as a matter of urgency,” he said in a statement.
“They cannot rely on the Liberal Party, which is hopelessly divided on commonsense issues of conscience and religious freedom.
“Neither can Labor be trusted, following its betrayal of undertakings to support religious freedom in Canberra last week.”
Last week’s attempted legislation proved deeply divisive as the Morrison Government sought to ban discrimination based on religious beliefs and activities, with some Government MPs joining Labor and crossbench members to seek protections for transgender students at church schools.
Kenyon said the “failure of both major parties to support religious freedom was a stark reminder that Christians, and all men and women of faith, must take direct action to safeguard their rights.”
“Voting for Family First at the state election in March is direct action that will make a difference,” he said.
“A Religious Freedom Bill will be the first move I take as a Family First MLC… and we will go further than the failed attempt by the Liberals.”
He said the rights “of religious organisations to practise their religion freely, and employ staff who hold the same values, need to be protected”.
“The Bill will not seek to change current protections to students from discrimination,” he said.
Kenyon highlighted the “heavy toll” for people who have declined COVID-19 vaccines on religious grounds.
“People of good will can have different views on whether to take the vaccine – personally I am vaccinated and so is my family – but when governments punish good people because of their faith-based decision not to be vaccinated, then action must be taken,” he said.
Cross Rd junction closed, residents evacuated after gas leak
A major gas leak has forced part of Cross Rd to be closed this morning.
SA Police said Cross Rd was closed between Goodwood and Winston roads, after reports that an excavator ruptured a gas pipe shortly after midnight.
Residents within a 100 square metre radius were evacuated.
The major arterial road is expected to be closed for much of the day.
Premier apologises for disability care failings
Premier Steven Marshall has apologised “unreservedly” after an independent inquiry found “serious failings” in the care of a man with disabilities left in squalid conditions at a government-run facility.
The case was first revealed by last year after the man was rushed to hospital from the Transition to Home (T2H) care service run by the Department of Human Services at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre.
Paramedics and doctors were so concerned about his condition they lodged complaints about his alleged neglect.
In a report released yesterday following an investigation, Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner Grant Davies revealed that the man had an infected pressure wound, appeared to be malnourished and was left to sit in faeces and urine for long periods.
Davies made a series of recommendations to improve care for other vulnerable South Australians and demanded authorities apologise to the man and his family.
T2H is a step-down facility for people with disabilities who have been discharged from a long stay in hospital and are awaiting more permanent accommodation.
Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, where the man was being cared for in the Transition to Home service. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily
Responding to the report yesterday, Marshall said there was “no doubt that we have let this patient down and we apologise for that”.
“I unreservedly apologise to this patient and his family,” he told reporters.
“We have fallen well short of the standard which is acceptable and we will take action to ensure this never happens again.”
Marshall said the Government would implement “every single one” of the Commissioner’s recommendations.
“And if there’s need for overall system change then that will be put into place,” he said.
“There are already things identified in this report which I think will lead to improved outcomes for all patients that are in that transitional accommodation.”
City drones ban forces Fringe event Sky Song to head south
A centrepiece event of the Adelaide Fringe has been moved from the Adelaide Showgrounds to McLaren Vale and its dates changed, after flight restrictions meant its hundreds of drones could not be flown near the city.
Sky Song involves 300 drones flying in formation above a 70m wide screen projection with lighting and music to tell First Nations stories, narrated by Archie Roach.
It was meant to be staged at Wayville from February 18 to March 20, but aviation restrictions on the drones have forced its relocation.
Sky Song organisers Celestial’s drone-art show at the Edinburgh Festival. Photo supplied
Sky Song will now be performed at Leconfield and Richard Hamilton Wines at McLaren Vale, 35 minutes south of the city, from Friday March 11 to Sunday March 20.
Fringe organisers said all tickets already purchased will be valid for the new venue dates and ticket holders will be emailed direct.
Labor promises to review Brompton gasworks decision for Crows
Labor says that if elected in March it will review the decision to reject the Adelaide Football Club’s bid for a new base at the former Brompton gasworks site and has callexjmtzywd on the Marshall Government not to sign any contracts before the March 19 poll.
The Marshall Government last month announced that the Crows’ application to build a new base and oval was unsuccessful and that Melbourne-based MAB Corporation would be allowed to remediate and develop the 5.8ha, government-owned site with hundreds of homes and apartments, a hotel, retail, office and open space.
The former gasworks development site. Image: Renewal SA
Treasurer Rob Lucas said that the interstate proposal offered great economic benefit while “reducing the state government’s liability and therefore the risk to taxpayers”.
But the Opposition today said that if elected it would consider the potential of reopening the process for development submissions, as long as no contracts were signed before the election caretaker kicks in.
Labor treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan said the MAB proposal had greater density and less open space than the Crows’ submission and appeared to have been chosen for its benefit to government coffers rather than the best community outcome.
“The detail for the Crows’ proposal looks exceptional and I can understand widespread community disappointment that their proposal was rejected,” he said.
“I am concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding this decision by the Marshall Liberal Government, which makes it difficult for the public to judge whether the right decision has been made to reject the Adelaide Crows’ proposal.
“That is why, if no contracts are signed, we will launch a review of the criteria with the option of reopening submissions, subject to the findings of that review.”
Diplomacy continues as 130,000 Russian troops mass along Ukraine border
The Kremlin has signalled that it is ready to keep talking with the West about security grievances that led to the Ukraine crisis, offering hope that Russia might not invade its beleaguered neighbour within days.
But questions remain about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions, and countries around Europe are evacuating diplomats and on alert for possible imminent war amid the worst East-West tensions since the Cold War.
On a last-ditch diplomatic trip, Germany’s Chancellor said there are “no sensible reasons” for the build-up of more than 130,000 Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders to the north, south and east, and urged more dialogue.
Despite warnings from Washington, London and elsewhere that Russian troops could move on Ukraine at a moment’s notice, Monday’s meeting between Putin and foreign minister Sergey Lavrov suggested otherwise.
Lavrov argued that Moscow should hold more talks with the US and its allies despite their refusal to consider Russia’s main security demands.
Moscow, which denies it has any plans to invade Ukraine, wants western guarantees that NATO will not allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members.
