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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-12-02 Daily Xml
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Elder Electorate

Mrs POWER (Elder) (15:41): As 2021 draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the year that has been and update the house on some key wins for our state and my local area. Whilst as a government we have been laser focused on navigating the global pandemic for the health and wellbeing of South Australians, we have also continued to get on with the job of delivering better services, investing in our healthcare system, lowering costs for households and growing jobs.

On the jobs front, we have generated 3,800 full-time jobs in October alone and the state has hit a record high of full-time jobs. The latest ABS stats show that SA has 18,000 job vacancies, and job vacancies are important because they mean job opportunities. This is complemented by our massive recruitment drive for health workers and, of course, these numbers are backed up by exports and other stats that show our economy in a very strong position, which is important.

It is important because meaningful jobs provide people with a sense of purpose, a stake in our community and the chance for a better quality of life. Jobs here in SA also mean our loved ones do not have to move to the Eastern States or elsewhere; they can instead work right here in the great state of South Australia next to the people they love and who love them in return.

Locally, we have seen significant investment in our healthcare system, with the expansion of the Flinders Medical Centre emergency department now complete. Our work to reactivate the Repat has also seen a number of key milestones achieved this year, including the Veterans Wellbeing Centre, which is open and operating; the brain and spine rehab gym, which is completed and looks spectacular; and significant works at the town centre, with a new playground installed and a lone pine from the shores of Gallipoli planted, which is really important to keep that heritage of the Repat and the veterans alive.

Of course, the Repat has been opened and operating as a healthcare facility with a number of wards already opened, including the Specialised Advanced Dementia Unit, the neuro-behavioural unit and the Bangka Strait Ward. In big news, we are also bringing surgery back to the Repat, just as we promised.

In terms of lower costs, families and households in my electorate are certainly enjoying the benefits of our reforms, with the average two-child, two-car household saving approximately $800 per year since we were elected. What is everyone doing with their $800 back in their pocket this Christmas? I would love to know. Last weekend, I caught up with Nina and her four active girls—Bella, Isla, Gracie and Scarlett—who all play netball for the fantastic Adelaide Wildcats in Clovelly Park. Her family is loving the saving of up to $100 for each daughter with our sports vouchers. In total, residents in my electorate alone saved $166,000 through the sports vouchers. It is absolutely incredible.

In our area, I am so proud to have pushed for change, worked with local residents, our ministers and other key stakeholders and to be part of the Marshall Liberal government that has delivered train services on the Tonsley, now Flinders, line in the evenings and on the weekends for the first time ever. Can you imagine having a train line that did not even have trains running on the weekend? This is a big win for Mitchell Park and Clovelly Park residents.

We have also seen the planetarium and performing arts centre complete at Hamilton Secondary College, along with other upgrades that see students in my local area access world-class facilities. Families who were in the past zoned for Springbank Secondary College are now zoned for Unley High School, which is getting a big, major upgrade. This is providing families with the certainty that they have been craving, while of course also giving them the choice, as Springbank Secondary College remains open as an unzoned school. We are also investing in upgrades there. We have a number of greening projects happening in St Marys, Edwardstown and Pasadena. The Springbank intersection is complete and, of course, we are doing a lot of other work.

This is just a quick snapshot of some of the things that have occurred in our local area this year alone. It has been quite a year. It gives me great enthusiasm for what next year might bring and what we can and will achieve together. To my local residents, I remain committed to you. I have enjoyed supporting you, not just this year but since I have been elected, and I look forward to continuing to do so in the future. It has been a big year. Bring on next year. In the meantime, I wish everyone a safe and happy festive season.

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