Election Promises: Health Expansion & Dementia Support

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is Adelaide News Today. With the South Australia State election in its final week, both major parties are ramping up health promises. Liberal leader Ashton Hurn says the $2.4 billion Royal Adelaide Hospital, opened just over nine years ago, is already too small for A. Growing population. She pledges to kick off expansion planning immediately if elected, putting clinicians in charge to meet future needs. Meanwhile, Labour leader Peter Malinowskas focused on dementia support during a weekend run. He committed $500,000 for a new program run by dementia Australia, offering up to 80 small group sessions for around eight, 100 cares in metro and regional areas. This aims to ease the load on unpaid family members, helping the 35,800 South Australians living with dementia today. The impact hits hard as those numbers are projected to climb to 55,600 by 2054. Malinowskas noted older patients often clog emergency beds,

1:03and Labour's pledge builds on plans for 1,300 extra-age care spots, including a new precinct with over 600 beds on the old women's and children's hospital site. Labour also promised a $100 million permanent headquarters for gymnastics South Australia. On safety, they're pushing world-leading reforms to bar serious domestic violence and sexual offenders from online dating apps with lifetime bans, possible in up to five years in jail for breaches. Campaigning stayed lively over the weekend with both leaders at Netball Games and rallies. Fuel prices are another hot topic amid Middle East tensions, as liberals and independents call for better supply protections, especially for regional. Areas and industries like fishing and farming. This episode is supported by our sponsor. It looks like a pillow. It sounds like headphones. Build for comfort and sound. S-O-L-I.