News

Today at Parliament House the Joint Committee on Social Workers Registration Bill 2018 met for the first time.

I was joined by The Hon. Tammy Franks, MLC, The Hon. Connie Bonaros, MLC, The Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos, MLC, Josh Teague MP and Nat Cook MP.

The committee heard evidence from the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Anita Phillips, Board Director, Cindy Smith CEO, Patricia Muncey SA President and Debra Parnell, National Manager Social Policy.

This morning I was proud to officially welcome students with Minister for Education John Gardner MP at Adelaide Botanic High School.

This is the realisation of my 10 year campaign for a second city high school for the residents of Adelaide.

I hope the students and teachers enjoyed their first day.

Last night I had the opportunity to speak at the City of Prospect Citizenship Ceremony and meet many of my new constituents with Shaun Osborn - Liberal for Adelaide.

Congratulations to all on becoming an Australian Citizen!

Today I had the pleasure of opening the 2019 Department for Child Protection SA Residential Care Art Exhibition.

This year’s event was themed ‘What do you connect with? People? Places? Nature? Culture?’

There are 50 entries from children aged between 2 and 16 years and some amazing art, gorgeous colours, creativity and textures.

Great crowd building for the start of Stage 1 of the Tour Down Under on O'Connell Street - starting from North Adelaide and finishing in Port Adelaide. Good luck to all the cyclists!
#tourdownunder #TDU #TDU2019 #Adelaide

In anticipation of the hot weather that is expected over the next week, I have been dropping off some electrolyte icy poles to some of my elderly constituents to help them keep their fluids up and stay cool.

If you know of anyone who might benefit from “Telecross” – a service where Red Cross gives you a daily telephone call to check on your well-being – please phone 1300 885 698 to register.

Yesterday I joined foster carers, NGO staff and department staff to view the movie called “Instant Family”.

The movie is based on the Directors own experience of becoming foster carers. Their instant family consisted of 3 siblings, one who only eats potato chips, another who reacts sensitively to every instance and a rebellious teenager made for this heart-warming story about their journey.

From today, family-based carers will be able to access carer payments for young people up to age 21, providing greater stability and opportunities for them to thrive and reach their full potential.

The Liberal Government will pilot a ground-breaking new early intervention program specifically developed for South Australian families at risk of having their children enter the child protection system.

The State Government will close the 12-bed Queenstown Community Unit in response to ongoing concerns regarding the care of children and young people living in the large-scale residential care facility.

In addition to closing Queenstown, the Department for Child Protection will develop a new out of home care model to better support Aboriginal children and young people in care by April 2019.