Private Members' Statements

Private Members' Statements

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (15:48): I want to highlight the concerns of the communities in my electorate about increasing crime and antisocial behaviour, and I want to speak especially about the situation in Ceduna at the moment. Last week, I was very happy to be accompanied in both Ceduna and Port Lincoln by the federal shadow Indigenous affairs minister, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, and the federal shadow minister for child protection and the prevention of family violence, Kerrynne Liddle, to hear directly from service providers, community leaders, business owners, Indigenous leaders and the wider community about the situation being faced in these towns.

I spoke recently in this place about the concerns of businesses and individuals in Ceduna dealing with unacceptable situations: daily theft from their shops; individuals who are living in fear for their personal safety; businesses that are experiencing levels of constant vandalism; and people who are witnessing violence, public drunkenness and experiencing personal threats. We heard more of these stories on the latest visit with the Senators, especially since the removal of the cashless debit card.

But what is the response of the Attorney-General in the other place when he is asked about this? He dismissed it as Liberal Party misrepresentation. Let me tell you, minister, it is really happening and it is not acceptable. Even your own department is saying, after CBS implemented new liquor restrictions, that an increase in antisocial behaviour and alcohol-related harm in Ceduna has prompted this three-week trial.

Minister, you need to listen to the people of Ceduna on this incredibly important issue. You need to listen and you need to act.

Mr ELLIS (Narungga) (15:50): I have spoken in this place before about the unfortunate situation that has unfolded in Ardrossan with the closure of the Ardrossan Community Hospital. That has reached an unfortunate conclusion recently with the formal relinquishment of their private hospital licence, which has unfortunately brought an end to that community hospital.

In starting, we should pay immense gratitude to the volunteer board and the local administration that managed to keep that community hospital going for as long as it did. It has outlasted a great many other community hospitals around this state, and it is only thanks to the perseverance of the wonderful local employees and the wonderful volunteer board that it managed to do that.

There is concern in the community about the gap it will leave. The community—wonderful community that it is—has launched into action and established a working group to try to replace those services. Don Hosking has done a tremendous job in bringing together former DONs, members of the op shop committee, members of the Progress Association, a councillor and myself. We have all got together and now are working assiduously to try to replace those services at Ardrossan. It is the biggest town in the Yorke Peninsula Council, which is a significant council that is deserving of its own health services.

We have seen elsewhere in this state, at Keith when the community hospital was forced into closure, that the government was willing to step in and provide a triage service to make sure that those patients that report are directed to the right place. I would like to see a similar service provided at Ardrossan. I have written to the minister asking that that happen, but in the meantime we need to reassure the community that the local community group will continue to operate the aged-care facility and that we are working as hard as we can to replace those health services.

Ms PRATT (Frome) (15:51): On the weekend I had the delight of attending the official opening of the Terowie CFS station. For outsiders who are unfamiliar with Terowie, it may be better recognised as the town where US General Douglas MacArthur came through with his famed 'I shall return' speech. But, for the townsfolk of Terowie, what we were marking was a significant piece of infrastructure, namely, the new CFS station.

We were blessed to have in our presence the chief executive, Brett Loughlin, and region 4 Commander Sindy McCourt, and a scintillating speech was given to us by Brigade Captain Ross Haustorfer. Today I want to take an opportunity to recognise, as was done on the day, the very important awards that were declared at the time. Both Jan and Ross Haustorfer received national medals—Ross was awarded first class. Trevor Huddleston was awarded the national medal, second class, and Des Sleep was awarded the national medal, third class. Barry Clapp was awarded CFS life membership, which is not often awarded. Special mention goes to Bill Sleep, 90 years of age, who was also awarded CFS life membership.

There was not a dry eye in the house, and I was delighted to have the company of the member for Stuart on this very special occasion.

Ms HOOD (Adelaide) (15:53): I am thrilled to inform the house of a really special award that has been given to one of the local sporting clubs in my community. Last Saturday night Tennis SA held their awards night, and I am thrilled to say that Prospect Tennis Club won the Most Outstanding Tennis Club award, in the City/Hills category. It is the first time that the club has won this award, and it is a real testament to the efforts of president Priscilla Vokolos and secretary Caitlin Davies. Under their leadership the club is going from strength to strength. They are so community minded, and you will see them at community events, encouraging kids to give tennis a go. It is really thanks to their efforts that they have recently won a $500,000 grant from the state government to upgrade the Prospect Tennis Club.

Two weekends ago, I was able to visit the club with our Minister for Sport, Katrine Hildyard, and also the City of Prospect councillors, mayor and chief executive to celebrate the great news that, in partnership with the City of Prospect, we will be upgrading the Prospect Tennis Club. I just want to give a huge shout-out and congratulations to Priscilla and Caitlin on the award. They were able to receive their award on behalf of the club on Saturday night, and it really is a testament to their amazing efforts that they put into the club, and also our community, so congratulations.