UNIONS CHALLENGE TO ALP ON LEADERSHIP: START LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY

19 January 2011

SA Unions says a different Deputy Premier won't change anything in South Australia unless the government starts listening to the community and putting the interests of working South Australians first.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says South Australians want to see a change in direction from this government - not just a change in leadership.

"We want a fresh approach from this Labor government - not a "mini-me" substitute for Kevin Foley with the same people pulling the strings behind the scenes."

"We need to see someone in that role who accepts that this government has been heading in the wrong direction and has stopped listening to the people of South Australia."

Ms Giles says union polling in December last year which showed that the Premier and Deputy Premier Kevin Foley were on the nose has clearly spurred the government into action.

"Those poll results showed that South Australians don't feel this Labor Government has their best interests at heart."

"People feel the entire leadership team is past its use by date, not just Kevin Foley and that the vast majority of South Australians think both the Premier and the Treasurer should move on."

"But some people in the government are blinded by the perks of office and aren't willing to face the truth about their own performance."

"It's time they stopped talking about themselves and turned their attention to listening to what South Australians really think this State needs to move forward."