Narungga June Update

As we commence the fifth parliamentary sitting week since my election as the Member for Narungga I can report it has been a very busy time, highlighted by meetings and forums with local constituents, stakeholders and tiers of government on a multitude of issues.

Topics I’ve covered in speeches in Parliament so far have included Fisherman’s Bay freeholding; Ardrossan tourism and volunteers; Meningococcal vaccines and Violet Day activities; coastal protection; natural resources management; Indigenous relations and Reconciliation; speed limits on country roads; and addresses in reply to introduced bills being the Fair Trading (Gift Cards) Amendment Bill 2018, Fair Trading (Ticket Scalping) Amendment Bill, the Evidence (Journalists) Amendment Bill, Electoral (Prisoner Voting) Amendment Bill, the Farm Debt Mediation Bill, the South Australian Productivity Commission Bill, and the Supply Bill 2018.

On the subject of roads, I have advocated for improvements for Maitland to Minlaton Road, North Coast Road at Point Turton, and a slip lane for the turn off into Hardwicke Bay township.

I have also discussed the need for investment at Thompson’s Beach to offset the impact of increased tourism traffic there with the new Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary. Please contact my office with details of other roads across the electorate that need attention, for placement on our list of black spots).

Police and emergency services have also been areas of concern brought to my attention; I am investigating staffing levels at police stations and, in the specific area of sea rescue, am advocating urgent need for a replacement vessel for Point Turton Flotilla.

I am very pleased the new Marshall Liberal Government has moved on so many of its pre-election commitments, notably reducing ESL bills to provide some cost of living relief; launching the $1 billion regional tourism strategy; funding 20,000 new apprenticeships and traineeships; renewing the Repat Hospital as a healthcare precinct; addressing misuse of taxpayer funds spent on advertising; introducing the Farm Debt Mediation Bill; working on providing the ICAC Commissioner increased powers; reviewing crown land-leased shacks and placing a moratorium on further demolition; and the NRM reform to abolish current NRM Boards, and cap annual land and water levies.

Our “Investing in Country Health” policy measures have also commenced, with the call for nominations advertised last week for the pledged new local Health Network Governing Boards, which include six Regional Boards.

I was particularly pleased to host a visit by Minister for Health Stephen Wade MLC to Wallaroo Hospital on 20 April to discuss staffing pressures, after hours services, and the need to keep up with increased demands on existing resources. Next will be rolling out the investments pledged for Ardrossan and Yorketown Hospitals.

I have also met with all council Mayors and CEOs for one-on-one meetings since my election, and also with the Adelaide Plains Ratepayers Group, the Legatus and YP Alliance Local Government networks, and the Inkerman Landfill Community Committee.

On 28 May I really enjoyed visiting Days Eggs Pty Ltd at Lower Light and seeing its new $6.6 million factory expansion. What an amazing facility it is, as the largest egg producer in South Australia with nearly 500,000 hens (and capacity to grade 126,000 eggs per hour) and a justifiably proud employer of more than 90 people. Thank you Managing Director Dion Andary for showing me around.

The electorate office at 51 Robert Street Maitland recently had its new signage placed, and I have also welcomed new staff member Sarah Francis to our team who is already proving an asset.

Please contact the team at Narungga electorate office for assistance with any state issues -- by phoning 8832 2455 or emailing [email protected]. The office is open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.