Labor members concerned at casualisation and uni costs

Australian Labor Party members from the Upper Spencer Gulf and across the Grey electorate held their annual general meeting in Whyalla on Sunday. 

South Australian Labor Senator Karen Grogan attended to speak with local party members ahead of impending state and federal elections. 

Among the issues raised with the Senator was the increasing casualisation of the workforce, rises in university costs and concerns about primary and secondary students returning to the classroom amid the COVID outbreak. 

A number of those present said the lack of forward planning, including the availability of rapid tests, was causing angst in the community. 

Senator Grogan discussed Anthony Albanese’s commitment to provide more than 465,000 free TAFE places and SA Labor’s plans to build the Port Augusta Technical College if elected in March. 

Senator Grogan also briefed the group on the upcoming Senate inquiry into GP shortages scheduled for Whyalla on March 1. 

The meeting, held at the Westland Hotel, formally acknowledged the passing of Senator Grogan’s predecessor, the late Alex Gallacher who died in September. 

Senator Grogan also met with sporting and other groups in the Upper Spencer Gulf over the weekend. 

SA Labor is currently in the process of preselecting a candidate for the federal seat of Grey which is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.