NORTHERN SUBURBS

Mr O'BRIEN (Napier) (15:35): Last Sunday the Sunday Mail carried a front page story relating to Adelaide and, more specifically, to the Elizabeth area. The majority of Elizabeth's suburbs sit within my electorate of Napier. For that reason, I took great interest in what Jimmy Barnes had to say. I have responded to this front page story with a letter to the editor. It states:

Dear Editor,

In response to the front page article, 'Barnesy's Plea for the Northern Suburbs' of 27/04/08, both Jimmy Barnes and our Governor, Kevin Scarce, should be applauded for their continued interest in the area that gave them so much as boys.

Jimmy Barnes called for increased state government spending in the Elizabeth area. It is worth pointing out that the Rann Labor government has committed a level of government spending to the Elizabeth area unmatched since the area was originally developed in the Playford era. In the crucial area of education, where improvement in attainment levels is essential, the government is to build the state's first two new super schools in the Elizabeth area as part of the $134 million super school program. These two super schools are to be opened in 2010 and 2011 respectively. In addition, a $4.2 million upgrade of Craigmore High School is currently under way. All primary schools in the Elizabeth area have also received additional teaching staff in years 2 and 3 specifically to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes in these crucial years of early childhood development.

In terms of health care, the state government is delivering a new 24/7 GP Plus Allied Health Clinic for Elizabeth that will open in 2010. This is in addition to a major upgrade of the Lyell McEwin Hospital, worth $336 million, which will almost double the number of beds available as well as modernise the hospital. Along with a new community rehabilitation centre, these projects will significantly boost the quality of health care facilities available to residents of the northern suburbs.

Two major urban renewal projects, one along the Peachey Belt (Davoren Park, Smithfield and Smithfield Plains) and the other at Elizabeth Park, will commence shortly. These two development projects alone will cost more than $1 billion. Additionally, the Rann Labor government has provided a new fire station and ambulance station as well as a new police shop front in the Elizabeth area.

The north of Adelaide is enjoying unprecedented prosperity that is reflected in high employment growth and increased property values. However, pockets of disadvantage do exist, as Jimmy Barnes points out. The Rann Labor government is committing the resources needed to deal with this issue.

Michael O'Brien MP

Member for Napier