19 September 2025
The SA Greens have congratulated the Government’s new Ministers on their portfolios but urged them to take climate change and cost of living seriously as the parliament heads into its final months before the election.
Quotes attributable to Robert Simms MLC
“Both Susan Close and Stephen Mulligan have been big contributors to SA politics. I’ve really enjoyed working collaboratively with them over the last 4 years and wish them all the best for this next chapter of their lives. I congratulate those Ministers who have been elevated today.”
“When Tom Koutsantonis was Treasurer in the Weatherill Government he put forward a plan for a Big Bank Levy. Sadly, this was abandoned. The Greens remain very keen to collaborate with the Treasurer to get this done. It’s outrageous that at a time when so many South Australians are struggling with rising cost of living pressures that the big banks continue to rake in massive profits.”
“Labor has had a focus on roads and cars this term but has failed to take public and active transport seriously. I urge the new Transport Minister Emily Burke to action the recommendations of the inquiry into Public and Active Trasport that were handed down more than 2 years ago. In particular, now is the time for rail to the Adelaide Hills and the Greens will be campaigning to make this a key priority.”
“Lucy Hood’s elevation to the climate portfolio will make the environment an even more central focus for voters in the seat of Adelaide. The Greens will be urging the new Minister to take action to safeguard are precious Park Lands from further destruction by adding them to the sate heritage register as an urgent priority. The new Minister should also take swift action to stop the destruction of more trees as part of the LIV Gold redevelopment.”
Quotes attributable to Melanie Selwood, Legislative Council candidate for 2026
"The Labor party have handed to purse strings to Tom Koutsantonis who has continually demonstrated his love-affair with fossil fuels. At a time when we need urgent action on climate change, we're seeing the Labor Government continue to be in bed with major polluters such as Santos. If Labor wants to prove that they're committed to our future, Tom Koutsantonis' first act as Treasurer must be to stop subsidising fossil fuels from taxpayer money."
"As the new Climate and Environment Minister, Lucy Hood will need to have some strong words to Tom Koustantonis about protecting our future - by cutting ties with fossil fuel polluters and instead investing in our precious places, such as our coastal marine environment, the Adelaide Park Lands, the Mount Lofty Ranges and the St Kilda Mangroves."
"This state election, voters have a choice. To put their vote with a government tied to fossil fuel corporations who are destroying our future, or vote Green for real action on climate change."