Statement on 'no confidence' motion
Posted September 10, 2018
Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie will not support a motion of 'no confidence' in the Morrison Government while the seat of Wentworth remains vacant.
"The period until the Wentworth by-election will be a time of examination of the current Government's ability to provide stable, good government," Rebekha said.
"The Prime Minister contacted me the day after his appointment and I met personally with the Prime Minister soon after.
"We received confirmation in writing from the Prime Minister of more than $21m in promises made during the by-election and confirmation of the commitments made to Centre Alliance during the 45th Parliament."
The by-election promises included:
- $10m for a new aquatic centre in Mount Barker
- $4.4m for a sports hub in Mount Barker
- $3.9m for extra bed licences at the Strathalbyn aged care facility
- $1.17m to boost mental health services in South Australia
- $1m for a strategic traffic planning study for Hahndorf
- $750,000 to redevelop trails on Kangaroo Island
- $200,000 for the SteamRanger heritage railway
- $200,000 to upgrade the Yankalilla Football Club
- $145,000 in Black Spot funding to upgrade the Playford Highway, Kingscote
- $145,000 in Black Spot funding to upgrade the Goolwa to Strathalbyn Road
- $145,000 in Black Spot funding to upgrade Inman Valley Road, Yankalilla
- $29,000 for Woodside Defence Families Association
- $20,000 for Grain Producers SA to develop an industry recruitment pathway
- $11,590 solar grant for Nairne Oval
- $10,249 solar grant for Hills Radio
- $9,790 solar grant for the Macclesfield Recreation Grounds Committee
- $8,897 solar grant for the Strathalbyn Woolshed
- $6,737 for McLaren Vale and District RSL
- $4,000 for Port Elliot RSL
- $2,564 for Hillsview Village Residents Association.
"When the new member for Wentworth is elected to the parliament I and my Centre Alliance colleagues Senator Stirling Griff and Rex Patrick will reconsider our position," Rebekha said.
"In the meantime, I will not support a motion of 'no confidence' in the current Government.
"In relation to other motions and Bills, I will continue to do what I have always done and that is to examine every piece of legislation on its merits and to vote in the best interests of Mayo.
"If it eventuates that a motion goes before the Parliament to refer Minister Peter Dutton to the High Court in relation to allegations of pecuniary interest, Centre Alliance will support that motion.
"I note that the Opposition no longer intends to pursue a motion of 'no confidence' relating to Minister Dutton and allegations of misleading parliament in relation to the exercising of Ministerial discretion.
"While I do not agree with many of the policy positions of Minister Dutton, I believe he explained himself quite clearly in Parliament this morning in relation to these allegations.
"I would like to thank the many people in my electorate who have contacted my office in recent weeks to share their views on the leadership changes within the Government."
