56th Parliament Address

Speaker, I rise to deliver my Address in Reply to the Governor’s speech and in so doing I want to briefly pay tribute to Her Excellency. In the years of my life before I came to South Australia, I was fortunate enough to share with my family a friendship with the late former Governor of New South Wales, Dame Marie Bashir AC CVO. I adored her for her serene grace and style, but more importantly for her wisdom and knowledge, which she shared so generously. In Governor Adamson, if I may say so, I believe we as South Australians are similarly fortunate to have a Governor of great intellect, dignity and generosity of spirit.

I also want to acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to Elders past and present. I particularly want to pay my respects to Robert Taylor and his daughter Lynette who conducted a beautiful smoking ceremony in the courtyard during the opening day formalities, and the Kaurna elders I have been fortunate enough to get to know since my election, including Uncle Tamaru and Jack Buckskin who have so patiently taught me, and many of my colleagues, elements of Kaurna language and culture.

Although this, the 56th Parliament, is the second Parliament of which I have been a part, the pomp and ceremony of the opening week was my first opportunity to participate in the formal opening of a new Parliament, having first entered this place through the by-election caused by the retirement of the previous Member for Dunstan, Steven Marshall.

I feel deeply honoured to have been re-elected by the people of Dunstan, once again entrusting me with the responsibility of representing our community and being their primary advocate. It is both humbling and deeply motivating.

Although the formal opening of a new Parliament consists seemingly of old-fashioned ceremony, the traditions and conventions entailed are incredibly important. As a keen student of history, including monarchical history, I love reading about the history of the British and European monarchies and the battles, both actual and figurative, that led us to the form of government we enjoy today.

Many historical events contributed to the ceremony we saw during the opening week and to the traditions still visible in the daily operation of Parliament today.

One of the rituals most symbolic is the ceremonial slamming of the door in the face of the monarch’s representative during the opening of Parliament, symbolising the independence of the Commons, the Westminster equivalent to our House of Assembly, from the Crown.

These ceremonies allude directly to long battle for parliamentary representation for ordinary people, as opposed to the rule of the Crown, the aristocracy and the church that existed before. They reinforce the very idea of democracy, that Parliament is by the people, of the people and for the people.

This is why I am personally so enamoured with the Mace. Its place in this chamber reminds us of this every day. The representation of ordinary people in parliament was hard-won and we are here now in this place at the mercy of our communities, to serve our communities.

I cherish this privilege and intend to continue in the manner in which I began – being active, accessible and available to hear the concerns of the people I represent.

Elections, as we know, are moments of reflection. They are not simply a tally of votes, but a conversation between a government and its people.

That conversation is never about one issue alone. It is about trust, direction, and whether people feel seen and heard. What I heard on doorsteps, at shopping centres and at school gates was a desire for stability, for thoughtful progress and for leadership whose focus in on the people of our state.

I want to acknowledge all of you as colleagues on both sides of this chamber. Regardless of political persuasion, every member here has put themselves forward for public service. That is no small thing.

The adversarial nature of this place is real, but it should never eclipse the common purpose that ought to unite us, which is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we represent.

For me, that purpose is grounded in my own story. In my first speech I spoke about a childhood shaped by instability, resilience and the profound influence of community.

I spoke about the complexity of my family life, about growing up with a father who suffered profoundly with mental health difficulties, and about the way those experiences shaped me not only as an individual, but also the policy priorities I bring to this place.

It is that understanding that drives my focus on addressing causes, not just symptoms. Whether we are talking about mental health, education or planning, we are always talking about people and the systems they rely on to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.

And whether the challenges are tangible or less visible, our challenge is the same: to look beneath the surface and design responses that are enduring, not temporary.

Although I have only been the Member for Dunstan for a little over two years, I am proud of the many warm relationships I have established within our community and the achievements we have delivered together. 

I have always believed that representation cannot happen from behind a desk. It requires visibility, consistency and genuine engagement. That is why I continue my Monday afternoon coffee catch-ups, why I continue doorknocking throughout each year and why I continue regular shopping centre visits throughout the electorate.

It is also why I have maintained my volunteering roles at the Altavilla Club and Meals on Wheels, where I have cherished the opportunity to chat with people, some of whom don’t get out the way they used to.

And it is why I have worked hard to make Parliament itself more accessible to the people I represent.

In the little over two years since my election, I have taken over 5,000 people through this building. School students, sporting clubs, community groups, seniors’ groups and local residents.

For many people it is their first time inside Parliament House, and I never lose sight of how important that is. Parliament belongs to the people of South Australia, and I want the people of Dunstan to feel a connection with, and pride in, this place, too.

Representation is also about responsiveness. Since my election I have sent more than 8,500 birthday cards to residents and advocated directly for my community through more than 370 letters to ministers and local government. Sometimes politics can seem grand and abstract, but often the work that matters most is deeply local and deeply personal.

It is helping resolve a planning issue, supporting local people in their interaction with government agencies, or making sure roads and intersections are operating in a way that keeps people safe and our communities liveable.

What has struck me most about representing Dunstan is just how deeply engaged people are in the future of their neighbourhoods.

They care about traffic safety, about heritage, about schools and sporting clubs, about parks and trees, and about whether their children and grandchildren will inherit communities that remain connected, safe and vibrant.

I am proud that together we have been able to deliver important improvements across Dunstan. That includes new pedestrian actuated crossings on Glynburn Road and Fullarton Road.

And the Fullarton Road PAC, is actually a great example of how one well-placed piece of infrastructure can contribute to multiple local improvements at once. It is ostensibly a cyclist and pedestrian activated crossing which has significantly improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians who want to cross Fullarton Road.

However, prior to the installation of the PAC it was a nightmare for drivers to turn right from Rundle Street into Fullarton Road or left from Beulah Road into Fullarton Road, in peak-hour traffic. Now the PAC has been installed, a break in traffic is created each time a pedestrian or cyclist activates the crossing, dramatically improving traffic flow in that location. It has actually been one of my most complimented-on improvements.

I have also had requests for the addition of simple signage improvements to pedestrian and cyclist safety through the installation of “Give Way to Pedestrians and Cyclists” signage, which I was so pleased to see the Department of Infrastructure and Transport act on for the Dunstan community within a matter of weeks. I would add to that the installation of signs reminding truck drivers not to use exhaust brakes on Portrush Road.

And speaking of Portrush Road, I am so pleased that after decades of my community calling for a by-pass to reduce trucks on Portrush Road, it has been the Malinauskas and Albanese Labor governments who have listened to the voices in my community, and more broadly the federal electorate of Sturt, won by Claire Clutterham at the federal election last year, and who have committed to progressing the High Productivity Vehicle Network, which includes the Truro Bypass and the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass, with an initial commitment of $775.3 million to progress Stage 1 which includes upgrades to the Swanport Bridge at Monarto and the Truro township bypass.

Another important traffic concern I have begun the process of addressing is rat-running in my community with the commencement of a long called for traffic study of St Peters, Joslin, Royston Park and Marden. 

The study is specifically looking at how traffic moves from the surrounding state arterial roads through the local residential streets they border. And if this study finds that traffic movements on the surrounding roads, or the operation of the connecting intersections, are contributing to rat-running, the minister can expect me to become a squeaky wheel!

In addition to this study is the Rundle Street Movement Study which I advocated for on behalf Kent Town residents in response to concerns voiced by residents about the high volume of commuter traffic that traverses Rundle Street.

Now this study has found high levels of traffic accidents and incidents between cars and both cyclists and pedestrians on Rundle Street, Kent Town and, notwithstanding there are both state and local government responsibilities to address,

I will also be advocating for my government to fund the necessary improvements to ensure cyclist and pedestrian safety continues to be paramount, as frankly, much needed densification continues, as we address the housing shortage.

Another PAC I hope to be calling an achievement soon is the first of what I also hope will be two on Hackney Road. I was very pleased to work with the residents of Vailima Gardens to advocate for these much needed crossings. And I am pleased to see indications that initial scoping works have begun.

I was also proud to support the delivery of the new 24/7 Pharmacy in Norwood, something that provides genuine peace of mind for local families. Most people do not think about needing a pharmacy at 2am until suddenly they desperately do.

With the busy lives so many working people lead, knowing you can access a pharmacy to fill a script or pick up some dry shampoo or whatever it is – having a 24/7 pharmacy on The Parade has actually been fantastic.

But arguably more importantly, we know that our 24/7 pharmacies, funded by the Malinauskas Labor government, have made a significant contribution to hospital avoidance, with feedback showing 22 percent of the more than 600,000 people who have used them would otherwise have gone to an emergency department if the pharmacy had not been available.

During the recent election campaign we also committed to continuing to invest in the infrastructure and community facilities that strengthen local life.

A $400,000 commitment for public toilets at Twelftree Reserve in College Park, support for the facilities at Kensington Gardens Tennis Club, upgrades to the women’s changerooms at Norwood Oval, and a new Technical College at Marden Senior College.

My community also cares about the future of South Australia; about well-paid jobs and quality public education and training opportunities, our environment and commitment to carbon reduction, a well-funded health system, and about a plan for the future.

Which is why I am particularly excited by the new Technical College at Marden, because not every young person wants or needs the same pathway through life.

But South Australia’s economic success, our massive investment in defence, our focus on record levels of house-building, depends on a steady flow of technicians, electricians, builders and other trades, skills that will be every bit as important as university graduates filling the requirement for software engineers, scientists, technicians and more.

There should never be a hierarchy of dignity between different forms of work and in the South Australia the Malinauskas Labor Government is building, there isn’t.

One of the other great strengths of Dunstan is the extraordinary quality of its public schools.

We have four excellent public primary schools, as well as local public high schools like Marryatville High School, with its internationally respected music program, reminding us that education is not simply about employment outcomes. It is also about creativity, confidence, discipline and joy, and relationships.

In fact, just a few weekends ago Marryatville High School’s Big Band 1 gained 2nd place in Division 1 at Generations in Jazz, a national competition the Big Band ensemble has consistently placed in for the last 30 years. This is no small feat when we consider that it was St Peter’s College, also in my electorate, that placed first. Marryatville High School was one of just five public high schools from South Australia competing at Generations in Jazz, and I have no doubt they are the light on the hill when it comes to having a vision of what public education can provide.

My electorate of Dunstan is also a community powered by small business. There are more than 7,000 small and family businesses in my electorate.

Cafes, retailers, manufacturing, tradespeople, professional services and hospitality venues that collectively give our suburbs their character and identity. And frankly, remarkable economic strength.

Now I know we are in some respects in a difficult trading environment – the stalemate in the strait of Hormuz is causing not just anxiety, but real price rises in the cost of living and the cost of doing business. With that said, there is probably no where you would rather be doing business than in South Australia, and I would argue, there is no place better to be in small and family business than in my electorate.

The Spendmapp data collected by the City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters consistently shows economic resilience and strength and I have no doubt it is the passion and tenacity of the business-people in my electorate that ensure those results and contribute so much to the vibrancy of our community.

Families like the Chapleys from Chapley’s Foodland at Norwood Place represent the very best of local business.

They work incredibly hard, employ local people, including many young people who get their first jobs there, and in so doing contribute generously back into the community.

I also want to acknowledge some of the other great businesses in my community, including those that were recognised recently at the Eastside Business awards. Doppio Café, Taste of Nepal restaurant, Art Images Gallery and the maker of my favourite bread and pastries, Prove Patisserie.

And it would be remiss of me not to mention the extraordinary Arkhe restaurant and bar on The Parade that is taking dining to a whole new level, and I know we are going to continue to be blown away by what Jake Kellie and his team produce and achieve right in the heart of Norwood.

I also want to acknowledge some of the remarkable community leaders and organisations that make Dunstan such a special place.

People like Domenic Reppucci, President of the Altavilla Club, and his wife Gina, who have become wonderful friends, whose warmth and commitment to not just the Italian community, but our entire local community, brings people together across generations and other cultures.

I’d also like to acknowledge the extraordinary pastoral care of Father John and the wonderful community work of the Ladies Philoptochos from the Parish and Community of Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Norwood, whose generosity and quiet service to others embodies the very best of community spirit.

And of course, the pride of our community, the Norwood Football Club – and can I just mention the incredible 100-point win by the boys in the Eyre Peninsula Cup game Saturday-week ago, against West Adelaide – like wow! Of course, when I talk about Norwood footy I’m also talking about the incredible women’s team, who have welcomed me so warmly as an enthusiastic supporter. Watching the Norwood SANFL-W team compete fills me with absolute admiration for their toughness, skill and determination.

I recently had the honour of tossing the coin before one of their games and I can assure members that standing beside these athletes very quickly makes one reconsider one’s own strength and fitness levels!

I particularly want to acknowledge Kelly Rossi from the coaching team, board member Maree Skrordzki, 2025 captain “Simmo” Steph Simmonds and current captain Jade Halfpenny.

The women’s team is not simply achieving success on the field, although they are certainly doing that. They are also helping reshape what young girls believe is possible. Representation matters. Facilities matter. Investment matters.

That is why I was so proud to take to the election a commitment that our government will contribute the $300,000 needed to upgrade the women’s changerooms at Norwood Oval.

Now coming full circle, we all recently went through what I think it’s fair to say was for everyone, a gruelling election campaign. And so, there are some very important people I would like to thank.

To my beautiful children, who I love more than anything, thank you. Thank you for your cuddles – however fleeting – I know you’re teenagers Cy and Pheebs, so it’s not so cool! – and for your support – all of you. I am most often pictured with my two youngest children, but I do have four children, and my two eldest are truly living their best lives.

My eldest, is close to completing post grad studies in pure mathematics and physics, and leads a wonderful life with friends, working, studying, cooking and all the great things young, childless people can do, and my second eldest, who lives in Japan, recently won a short film festival competition, and frequently sends me incredible photos, videos, short films or documentaries he has made. If I sound slightly jealous, it’s because I am! But the conversations I have with them are a priceless diversion from adulting – which is sometimes hard.

Election campaigns place enormous pressure on families. Partners are absent. Parents are exhausted. Normal routines disappear. There are takeaway dinners, forgotten school notes and children who become alarmingly self-sufficient.

And during almost the final three weeks of this campaign, while my husband was away working, my children in many ways had to raise themselves.

To my wonderful husband, James, thank you. You have enabled my success – always. Even when it seemed unlikely. Yes, you had to be away during the most intense final three weeks of the campaign, but ever since I was elected, and while running a small business of your own, you have taken to running our house, allowing me to give everything I have to this community. I simply could not do this without you.

To my campaign manager, Kevin. Thank you for your expert strategy, your unrelenting calm and for having your eye across every detail right to the very end. During campaigns there are always moments where everyone else is descending into mild panic while one person remains unnervingly composed. Kevin was that person.

To my wonderful office team, Patrick, Peter and Ellie, thank you for going above and beyond. You worked overtime, volunteered your time and ensured that everything that needed to be done was done. You are a professional, tight knit team who managed the demands of an election campaign while continuing to serve our community with diligence and care. That is no small achievement.

To my sub-branch, and to the more than 160 people who gave their time, energy and belief in me, and in what the Malinauskas Labor Government has delivered, and will continue to deliver, for the people of South Australia, thank you.

You letterboxed, hand-addressed envelopes, made phone calls, wobble boarded, and then letterboxed some more. It is tiring, repetitive and often thankless work. But it is the foundation of any successful campaign, and I am profoundly grateful to every one of you.

Politics is sometimes portrayed as cynical, but campaigns remind me that there are so many people willing to give up evenings, weekends and precious time with their families simply because they believe in a shared set of values, they believe in improving their community and their state.

This Parliament exists because generations before us fought for representative democracy and for the principle that ordinary people deserve a voice in the decisions that shape their lives.

I am sure that responsibility humbles every one of us.

I do not take lightly the trust that the people of Dunstan have placed in me. I intend to continue serving this community with energy, accessibility, honesty and determination.

Because ultimately this role is not about politics. It is about people. It is about whether families feel safe, whether children are supported, whether older people feel connected, whether communities retain their identity, and whether ordinary people feel heard.

South Australia is a remarkable place. We are ambitious without losing our sense of community. We are progressive without forgetting the value of tradition.

We are growing in confidence as a state, and I have no doubt that our best years still lie ahead of us.

I look forward to continuing to work alongside my colleagues in this place to help shape that future, and to continue serving the people of Dunstan with everything I have.