Priorities for 2023

Priorities for 2023

09 January 2023

My Role

My role as the Local State Member for Mackillop is to represent the people of the electorate in State Parliament and advocate for beneficial outcomes for the electorate.

An important part of my role is to listen to and understand what is important to the electorate, be it individuals, families, business, community groups, business groups, service groups and organisations and Councils.

My role includes advocating and working to growing our economy, community, and our workforce.

It is also about seeking to deliver benefits for the education of our children, grow opportunities for their employment here in the region, and to advocate for appropriate and adequate health care for our communities.

It is to work to ensure that our regional community has the infrastructure that it needs and deserves- including roads, telecommunications, and housing.  

Advocation can take many forms, my Electorate office is based in Naracoorte and is a key point of contact for constituents that are seeking assistance with State Government related matters.

I have the opportunity to ask questions to the Labor Government at question time in Parliament. In 2023 the Parliament have 18 sitting weeks planned providing ample opportunity for putting questions on the record. Questions can bring attention to issues of key relevance to the electorate or on matters of concern to constituent.

I can also prepare and seek support for motions to address issues in our region or can speak to a regional issue or indeed something that should be celebrated during grieves time each week.

Key matters that continue to emerge for the region include:

 

Regional Roads

The Liberal Government delivered record investment into regional roads- but there is much more to be done..

  • finding some road works that have been undertaken are not holding up – for example some sections of the Shoulder sealing on the Princes Highway
  • potholes – and their Management by Road Maintenance contractor Fulton Hogan
  • it has been said there is a 17 year backlog of Road works to be done,

 

Affordable Housing
  • there is a well recognised regional housing shortage which compounding our worker shortage
  • it is holding back the economy or our region and the State
  • need a cascade of housing options from Social Housing to affordable housing – which will enable people to move through the system.
  • Our Affordable Housing options need to cater for a range of clients from large families to smaller dwellings.
  • The Labour Govt are investing in social housing, which is welcome, but I don’t believe that many benefits will flow for the electorate from this investment which will primarily occur in Mt Gambier and in Adelaide.
  • I have been briefed recently by Renewal SA who advised that they are planning to conduct some Pilot Projects for housing in the Limestone Coast.  This is an exciting development I am looking forward to understanding more about how this will work.
     
Mobile Phone coverage
  • Mobile phone coverage is both a state and federal matter –
  • During our last term our Government funded towers at Keilira, Tower Road (south of Penola), Legges Lane and Avenue Range.
  • we still have substantial gaps in our network coverage in the Region..
  •  I will continue to advocate for these to be addressed. I am concerned though as there has not been any clarity from the Labor Government about the nature and scale of funding that may be made available for mobile phone towers in our state.
     
Health care
  • The ongoing shortage of Doctors in regions continues to impact our local communities. But more broadly there are other health services such as mental health care that require attention- the Labor Government did promise 6 new mental health beds at the Mount Gambier hospital in its last budget, which is welcome. But I feel more investment in needed to address escalating mental health issues in our communities.  
  • I am very aware of the impact of Dr shortages on our Coastal communities and have frequent contact on this matter. I was pleased to see the Malinauskas Labor Government in their last budget promised $65.4 million over four years – although more detail is needed about how this will assist us regionally.
  • Paramedics – further investment by Labor-
  • Robe Paramedic model I believe is being examined as a new model for care for regions- including the new model of care at the Keith Hospital which has the role of paramedics at its centre.
  • Labor has also promised an $8m investment in the Naracoorte Hospital. With regard to the Hospital and health infrastructure investment  it is an ongoing priority of mine to continue to raise the need for – unfortunately some very basic needs still exist for the Kingston hospital including a sprinkler system to address fire risk. I am also well aware and have advocated for an upgrade to the Kingston community health centre to enable easy and safe access for all that visit there.
  • Palliative care services are also a concern and a matter on which I have and will continue to  advocate.
     
Coastal Erosion
  • Without a doubt, Coastal erosion is a massive issue for the electorate and the Kingston and Robe Councils
  • More assistance needed from the State Government – it is an onerous financial burden for Councils to manage. This is something for which I will continue to advocate​​

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