South Australia Shadow Minister for Tourism David Ridgway

Rampant Nepotism Keeps Morris Dancing

Victor P Taffa

The Opposition is demanding that Premier Weatherill explain the appointment of Labor’s chief spin doctor to one of the State’s top public service jobs.

Rik Morris, a former media secretary to a trio of sacked or dumped ministers, has been appointed as the general manager of the South Australian Tourism Commission.

“It’s ironic that Mike Rann’s ex-spin doctor is now selling a campaign based on a spinning Hills Hoist.” Opposition Tourism spokesperson David Ridgway said.

“I want to know what Mr. Morris’s qualifications are to head a commission vital to our economic future.”

“On the face of it, this smacks of nepotism and jobs for the boys.”

“As an apologist for the dark side of Labor, the brutal troika of Michael Atkinson, Kevin Foley and Mike Rann, he failed to impress me as having the skills to fill this important position at the Tourism Commission.

“Port Adelaide residents will never forget Mr. Morris’s disgraceful actions when his boss, local member and Treasurer Kevin Foley, was embroiled in the dispute over the naming of the new Port Adelaide Bridge.

“With tens of thousands of petitioners agitating for the bridge to be called the Diver Derrick Bridge in honour of the local war hero and Victoria Cross winner, Mr. Morris told ABC radio

“The Port community doesn’t have strong feelings about this.”

Mr. Morris then insulted the whole of Port Adelaide by labelling the petitioners “just a bunch of renegades.”

“I would think these are not the actions of a man worthy of an important job in tourism.”

“As a senior Labor spinner, he oversaw the ALP vote plummeting to new lows under Premier Rann.”

“Tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry. We need the best person for the job. It should not be a lifeboat for an ALP staffer who’s just bailed out of Labor’s sinking ship.” Mr. Ridgway said.