2019-06-05
Today in State Parliament, Greens SA MLC Mark Parnell will be moving a motion calling on the Marshall Liberal Government to reinstate the funding for Brand South Australia.
Last month Brand South Australia, who manage the State Brand and the I Choose SA programs, were told that their funding would be axed after 30 June this year, resulting in them having to close the doors at the end of this month.
“This is a short-sighted and misguided decision, so I’m calling on the Government to reinstate Brand South Australia’s funding immediately” said Mark Parnell.
“Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, David Ridgway, tells us that we need to refocus on marketing South Australia interstate and overseas.
“This is a misguided argument as the I Choose SA program is branding that helps South Australians identify and choose South Australian products and businesses. By actively supporting SA businesses, we can support local jobs and the economy.
“The Spring Gully experience shows us that when South Australian businesses are in trouble, fellow South Australians step up and support them, provided they know that it’s a South Australian company.
“The Government has refused to commit to continue funding a “Buy SA” campaign that targets a domestic audience in SA. Marketing South Australia interstate and overseas is fine, but it shouldn’t replace a program that promotes SA businesses to South Australians.
Brand South Australia are an independent, not-for-profit organisation who are best placed to continue managing the State Brand and the I Choose SA programs, so the Greens want to see their funding reinstated to enable this important work to continue.
“Brand South Australia doesn’t pick favourites, it goes in to bat for all South Australian businesses”, Mark Parnell concluded.