A year on from its costly launch, the Malinauskas Government’s State Prosperity Project has failed to deliver on its promise to “unlock a new kind of power” – leaving South Australians facing unprecedented challenges.

Peter Malinauskas and his team spent $1.6 million advertising their plan, with key projects in the Spencer Gulf region now either shelved or under a cloud.

• Hydrogen Jobs Plan: Shelved, in the face of cost blowouts set to balloon over $1 billion, it has now been delayed indefinitely with part of the $600 million funding diverted to bail out the Whyalla Steelworks.
• Green steel transition: Shelved due to its reliance on the Hydrogen Plan.
• Northern Water: Plagued with issues with the resignation of the Chief Executive, high staff turnover and indecision over the location of the Desalination Plant. 
• Whyalla Steelworks: Forced into administration.
• Port Pirie smelter facing an uncertain future, compounding the state’s economic woes.
• Highest electricity prices on record for South Australian households and business.

Leader of the Opposition, Vincent Tarzia said the plans promised to “unlock a new kind of power” yet it seems every door it claimed to open has slammed shut.

“Peter Malinauskas has wasted millions in taxpayer dollars selling a dream that has turned out to be a dud,” Mr Tarzia said.

“Not only has this $1.6 million gone up in smoke, but the Prosperity Project has done nothing to improve the prosperity of the region, in fact it’s done the opposite.

“Rather than spending money on glossy brochures and TV ads, perhaps this money could have been better spent actually improving the lives of people living in the Spencer Gulf.”  

Shadow Minister for Energy and Net Zero, Stephen Patterson said in the year since the State Prosperity Project was unveiled, the Whyalla Steelworks has entered forced administration and the lead smelter Nyrstar at Port Pirie is under a cloud.

“These are two pillars of industry in the Spencer Gulf region and both facing an uncertain future, with the multi-billion dollar bail out of Whyalla, likely to be just the start,” Mr Patterson said.

“The Government’s hydrogen hoax was supposed to reduce power bills for industry, but instead small businesses are paying the highest electricity bills on record, increasing by $1,685 under Labor.”

For the past three years, the Government has been distracted by an energy and industrial policy heavily focused on green hydrogen, neglecting the immediate needs of South Australians. This has left the state without a clear and effective plan to address its pressing energy and industrial challenges.

“The State Prosperity Project was supposed to be a blueprint for our future, but instead, it has become a symbol of broken promises and misplaced priorities,” Mr Patterson added.

“With millions of dollars of taxpayer funds spent on advertising the State Prosperity Project has turned out to be nothing more than Labor’s State Propaganda Project.

“South Australians deserve a government that prioritises affordability, reliability, and transparency in its energy and industrial policies.”

The Opposition is calling for an urgent reassessment of the State Prosperity Project, demanding accountability and a renewed focus on practical solutions that will genuinely benefit the people of South Australia.