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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-02-12 Daily Xml
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King Electorate

Ms LUETHEN (King) (15:44): I rise today to take the opportunity to thank my local constituents whom I have met and had conversations with while doorknocking so far this year. Listening to my local residents' views and delivering for them on the issues they raise is really important to me.

During the lead-up to the 2018 state election, I knocked on doors in every street in King and had a wideranging series of conversations with local residents and businesses about their local issues and priorities. I have continued to doorknock since my election and am always excited when I knock on a door and see a familiar face. I am equally excited when somebody opens the door and it is someone I have not had the chance to talk to yet.

I felt honoured on Sunday when one resident was excited to see me again and had been waiting for me to get to her door because she had seen my signs were out. She is passionate about education and children's futures, and I am so grateful for the time she gave me to share with me her experience, professional experience and insight about options for achieving better educational outcomes.

When I meet with my constituents, I ask how my community members are feeling about how the state government is travelling so far, and I ask them again what are their most important local and state priorities. Cost of living, high council rates, and healthcare concerns continue to be priorities raised. It is terrific to be able to update residents on the positive progress our government is making to deliver our promised investments, especially at Lyell McEwin Hospital and Modbury Hospital, and discuss the real changes coming soon to energy prices.

In addition, on council rates, I am providing information about the local government review that the Minister for Local Government is conducting, which has a heavy focus on lower costs and enhanced financial accountability as well as efficient and transparent local government. I will certainly be advocating strongly for our local councils to reduce debt and to deliver the lowest possible rates moving forward.

Hillbank is a unique area. It is one of the quietest locations in King and the households are becoming very multicultural. On Sunday, one Bhutanese family had a big celebration at their house with a very grand, colourful display set up in their driveway to welcome guests. I commend the Bhutanese community for continuing to recognise their traditional new year in February and for gathering their family and friends together. I wish everyone in this community good health, happiness and good luck for the year ahead.

I am being told that better public transport services is also a pressing issue for the Hillbank community, and I am passing on these specific concerns and ideas to our transport minister. In addition, I am hosting a community forum with the Minister for Transport in King on 21 February at the Village Tavern to provide King residents an opportunity to voice their concerns in person with the minister so that our community can hear directly from our government about plans to improve roads, safety and our public transport system.

During my most recent doorknocking, I had an important conversation with a local resident who outlined just how important public transport is for the migrant community living in the area and seeking local employment. Creating jobs in South Australia is crucial for our state's future. Providing a transport system which makes these jobs accessible is another high priority of this government.

The Marshall government is also committed to providing a public transport system that will benefit as many people as possible. The response to the North East Public Transport Study has been sensational. The community consultation process, which sought feedback online, face to- face in shopping centres, in writing and over the phone was excellent and gave many of my constituents a real opportunity to tell the government exactly what their needs are now and moving forward.

My community tell me they want to be involved in the process of creating better services, and they want to have a real say in how their taxes are spent. That is why I am doorknocking, holding weekly coffee catch-ups and shopping centre listening posts, and hosting community forums with ministers. I will never be one of those politicians who only knock on doors six weeks before an election. I am here to serve the community. I want to thank all the Hillbank residents whom I have spoken to this year, and I look forward to knocking on more doors on the weekend.

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