Busy sitting week

It was a busy time in the chamber last sitting week, which included “Budget Day” on 5 June.

I have publicly bemoaned the lack of specific mention for our electorate for the fourth year in a row in the glossy highlight pages of the State Budget book, and unfortunately, diminished investment in the regions in general.

However, the reality is that more announcements can come throughout the year outside of the budgetary process -- as was the case last year for the massive investments in both the Port Broughton to Bute Road and the Kulpara to Arthurton section of Upper Yorke Road.

I especially hope that the lack of any specific health initiatives has been deliberate pending the outcomes of the now very nearly completed Health Petition Inquiry that was triggered by our petition and is under review by Parliament’s Economic and Finance Committee.

Past announcements will now start to come to fruition too, such as the upgraded ambulance station and paramedics crew at Wallaroo, investment from the Regional Jetty Fund, and the new co-located CFS/SES facility in Maitland.

Seven Point Pork Abattoir

The announcement of the closure of the Seven Point Pork Abattoir at Port Wakefield in January resulting in the loss of at least 270 local jobs was devastating, shocking news.

I am sad that Coles have made the decision to alter or cancel their contract so as to put JBS in this position. The focus now is trying to find another operator which can see the valuable opportunity such a substantial vacant facility provides them, to either increase their output or add a new arm to their business.   

In the chamber

Among the issues I raised in the chamber last week was the need for the newly upgraded Upper Yorke Road from Kulpara to Arthurton to now be gazetted for 30 metre A-Double Road Trains (with favourable response from the Minister).

In conjunction with the YP Council roads gazettal, this approval would mean the entire Yorke Peninsula would then be accessible to 30 metres A-Doubles – a fantastic outcome.

Other topics included an update on the 10 new Housing Trust homes under construction; restored SA Pathology services; and my Notice of Motion calling for a full investigation of the cause and effects of the recent algal bloom. 

Please refer to the Parliament tab of this website for further information about these speeches. 

Also additionally refer to the Grants tab for the latest grants information, and to this News tab for an article on currently underway consultation opportunities.

Re the latter, the government is currently seeking feedback on SA’s Public Transport Strategy, the Local Government Community Engagement Charter, and the Joint Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan 2026-2029, to name just three topics for which I encourage local participation.