Narungga August 2019 update

Parliament is now in winter recess which affords me a welcome opportunity to get out and about in the electorate, attending many events and meetings with constituents. It has also provided time for me to visit NSW Parliament for valuable meetings with Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall MP and Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson MP, to discuss their experiences, research and legislative reform strategies around two topics - increased protection for prime agricultural land, and payment security for building industry sub-contractors.

In the last couple of weeks a new Department of Child Protection office in Kadina was opened; I was guest speaker at the University of Third Age AGM at Maitland and at a special Ag Education Day at Crystal Brook; I met with the new TAFE SA Chief Executive David Coltman at Kadina; and also had the honour of unveiling a commemorative plaque at Captain Harry Butler’s very special weekend centenary celebrations of his gulf flight at Minlaton.

The exploits and achievements of Koolywurtie-born Captain Butler as SA’s leading aviation pioneer is deserving of increased state recognition and so I’ve called for Adelaide Airport to be named in his honour. As locals we know what a household name he was for his daring raids in World War I and when he became the first person to fly over Gulf St Vincent (and any significant body of water in the southern hemisphere) when he delivered the first air mail run on 6 August 1919.  Lesser known are the facts he created our state’s first airport and started the first air passenger carrying business in Australia. I will be pushing Harry’s case as part of the underway consultation for Adelaide Airport’s new 20-year Master Plan. (Pic: Fraser with special guests at Harry’s centenary celebrations, including His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC).

I have also been busy meeting with commercial, recreational and charter boat fishermen in response to the latest science indicating snapper stocks in our gulfs are seriously depleted. The proposed scenario of closing the entire state to snapper fishing will have serious consequences for fishing and tourism businesses – please have your say in the current public consultation period (closes 30 August) by visiting www.YourSAy.sa.gov.au/snapper or phone my office.

Recipients of round 47 of the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing Active Club program were announced last week and successful local clubs were Edithburgh Progress Association ($25,000 for its courts resurfacing project), Southern Yorke Peninsula Basketball Association Incorporated ($25,000 to insulate the Minlaton stadium), Moonta Sporting Shooters Association ($25,000 for solar and battery power supply), Maitland Pistol and Shooting Club ($19,171 to help upgrade its Air Pistol Shed), Kadina Golf Club ($5,000 new equipment) and Moonta Golf Club ($5,000 equipment).

Round 48 is open already, and Minister Wingard is especially encouraging applications from clubs looking to purchase defibrillators. I also encourage any applicants who missed out on support for their projects in the latest round to try again and re-lodge.

Ag Town of the Year

I was pleased this week to see very strong local region representation in the inaugural South Australian Ag Town of the Year Awards which have been introduced by the Marshall Liberal Government to celebrate the role of agriculture in regional South Australia. In total 43 towns have been nominated, among them Blyth, Bute, Edithburgh, Owen, Stansbury and Virginia, all recognised for demonstrating excellence and support for its farming industries over the past 12 months.

I commend the parochial locals connected with these town for nominating them and wish them well in the next stage of judging. An independent panel assessment will choose five finalists and the Ag Town of the Year winner will be announced at the Regional Showcase.

Listening Post in Snowtown

I will be visiting Snowtown next Friday, 30 August, and will have a Listening Post in the main street from 3.15 pm to 3.45 pm to provide an opportunity for anyone seeking advice or information about State matters. So, if you see me there, please come and say hello!