Labor has pledged $220 million to build a new hospital in Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills seat of Kavel — an electorate that could be crucial to form government following the South Australian election.
The new facility would have 102 beds, which is 68 more than the current facility, and would include a mental health unit as well as rehabilitation, obstetrics and palliative services.
Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said it would serve the town's rapidly growing population.
"If the population is set to grow from 37,000 approaching 60,000 in short time, we have to invest in the infrastructure that's required to invest into this community," he said.
"I make no apologies for making the big decisions that are required and are necessary to get our health system working again."
It is the latest in more than $1 billion worth of promises Labor has made during the election campaign, a spending spree that the government has criticised.
"They're just throwing money around like confetti," Premier Steven Marshall said.
"It's money that we don't have in South Australia. People should be very worried about the billions and billions of dollars Peter Malinauskas is promising ahead of this election."
Local independent's pizza promise
Mount Barker is in the seat of Kavel, and its current MP is Liberal-turned-independent Dan Cregan.
Mr Cregan quit the party last year, citing a lack of investment in the services that are needed in his community.
If neither of the major parities win a majority, Mr Cregan could be one of several crossbenchers crucial in forming a minority government.
The MP said he had been calling for a new hospital for four years, and has called on the government to match the commitment.
"I don't think the government can run a credible campaign in Kavel without promising a new hospital as well," Mr Cregan said.
"I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that if I didn't decide to become an independent, we would not be seeing the commitment that we're now seeing."
Mr Cregan stopped short of saying he would support Labor because of the commitment, but he drew parallels with Geoff Brock, an independent MP who helped Jay Weatherill form government in 2014 after they shared a pizza together.
"My natural instinct is to support the government, but the government must support my community," Mr Cregan said.
"I'd be happy to buy the Premier a pizza but the Premier must invest in my community."
Federal MP backs Labor's promise
While Mr Cregan is yet to win an election as an independent, Adelaide Hills voters have shown they are willing to back candidates outside of the major parties.
Independent Rebekha Sharkie is the local federal MP, and has formed an unofficial alliance with Mr Cregan.
"This is an extraordinary announcement and we really need to make sure it comes to fruition," Ms Sharkie said.
She said the SA government had lacked investment in the region, and in the Mount Barker Hospital.
"Much of the funding for the small expansion that's going to happen here is actually federal money, not state money and most of my conversations have been at the federal level," she said.
"Although I have met with [Health] Minister [Stephen] Wade at many occasions but I keep pushing him to open the cheque book."
Mr Malinauskas denied the promise of a new hospital was a sweetener for Mr Cregan.
"Our health policy is designed around where is the biggest areas of need," Mr Malinauskas said.
"We've made announcements in the safest of Liberal seats, the safest of Labor seats and everything in-between including independently held seats."
Leaders quizzed over possible deals
Mr Cregan is only one of the independents the major parties may need to woo after the March 19 election.
The list also includes Troy Bell in Mount Gambier, and Fraser Ellis in the Yorke Peninsula seat of Narungga, both of whom are currently facing criminal charges.
Despite being a former Liberal MP, Mr Bell has not ruled out doing a deal with either party.
But Mr Marshall would not say whether he would do a deal with Mr Bell.
"That's what we're going to the election with. I think our credentials over our first four years in government should fill South Australians with confidence."
Mr Malinauskas also would not rule out doing a deal with the Mount Gambier MP.
"There's only one party at the moment who has the prospect of forming majority government and that's the Labor Party," Mr Malinauskas said.
"Ultimately it's up to the people of South Australia to decide and I will work with the Parliament that the South Australian people give us."
