Rowan Ramsey (Grey, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Newspapers in the regions have had a tough time over the last year or so. That's why today I'm very pleased to announce the birth of the Eyre Peninsula Advocate, a newspaper for the northern Eyre Peninsula. Previously this area had been serviced by the Eyre Peninsula Tribune and the West Coast Sentinel. Those papers were discontinued by Australian Community Media. I do congratulate them though for bringing back the Port Lincoln Times, the Transcontinental in Port Augusta, the Recorder in Port Pirie and the Whyalla News.

Great credit must be given to the District Council of Cleve who approached the Plains Producer Manager, Andrew Manuel. The Plains Producer is based out of Balaklava, down near Adelaide. Faced with the challenge of a new paper in that area, the Kimba council and the Franklin Harbour council jumped on board to support this legendary newspaper. We've now had two additions. I'm very pleased to see the community getting back those services that it saw before. They were once the only source of news in our communities, whereas today we're bombarded with news and opinions—of variable quality I must say—on issues that challenge the state and our nation, but few have the reliable local news service. We supported local newspapers through the COVID pandemic. I wish to the Eyre Peninsula Advocate General Manager, Stacey Lawrie, and her team every success.