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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-09-08 Daily Xml
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R U OK? Day

Mrs HURN (Schubert) (15:22): To say it has been a turbulent few years is a serious understatement. In recent times, there has been a lot to cope with, whether that is the COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters like fires and floods. Cost-of-living increases have really added additional financial pressures and emotional strain to so many families and businesses here in South Australia, including in my proud electorate of Schubert, not to mention the significant challenges in regional communities, with additional pressures like export markets, serious housing shortages that we are facing, and also the workforce struggles where many people are struggling just to get the fruit off their trees or their vines, and of course struggling to find shearers and the like. The cost of business is simply going through the roof.

The strain of these challenges can push really, really strong and good people to breaking point. That is why it is so important to stop today and ask just a very simple question, to start a conversation with people that really can save a life. You do not need to be an expert, but you do need to have a really good ear. Today, we are encouraging people to ask a workmate, a loved one or a friend or a colleague: R U OK? It is that simple question that can save so many lives.

Homelessness Week was recently recognised in Australia and it is something that we all must work together—across the political divide, from city to the regions—to combat. It is critical that we work together. As members have reflected on this week, all it takes is one single change in circumstance to trigger homelessness, whether it is the loss of a job, whether it is emotional and relationship challenges that you are having or some difficulties in your community. It is not a choice. It can happen to anybody, especially with the housing market as it is now.

I would like to reflect on a really fantastic initiative that is happening in the Barossa Valley in my electorate, which is a result of a $2.4 million investment by the former Liberal government. The former state government provided $2.4 million to a not-for-profit charity organisation called Kids Under Cover to fund 70 per cent of the first 51 youth homelessness prevention studios, including the very first one that was built in the Barossa Valley this week.

As Foundation Barossa has stated, this studio is designed to reduce the risk of family tension, it is designed to prevent young people from becoming homeless, and it has been built in the backyard of a family's home in the Barossa. I look forward to seeing this rolled out right across South Australia, including in the regions, as just one example of what can be done to stop homelessness. We really cannot lose sight of the fact that we are privileged to have shelter, and we must be implementing public policy and investing in services that not only make it easier for people to find a home but also for them to stay there.

Changing tack slightly, I love country sport. It brings out some of the rawest emotion you can ever witness. This Saturday is particularly exciting because it is the 2022 Hills country division footy league grand final. I have to say that a good friend of mine in this place is the member for Heysen, but the Gumeracha Magpies are facing off against Meadows this weekend, so I certainly hope we can continue a good relationship working in this place.

We have so many fantastic clubs that are playing in the Hills footy competition, like Birdwood and Kersbrook, who took out the flag last year, and Torrens Valley as well, but it is Gumeracha that is playing off in the grand final this weekend. Interestingly, it has been 100 years since their first ever grand final in 1922.

This year for them has really been first class. Cousins Sammy and Ben Hanna took out the Hills footy league male medal first and second for the second time—which I am sure, in hindsight, will be viewed as a nice cherry on top should they take out the flag this weekend.

I would like to wish the club, led by their president Tony Hannaford, all the very best this weekend for the grand final. To the players, to their coach Brett Randell, and all their supporters: best of luck. It is also the Barossa, Light and Gawler prelim this weekend. It is a showdown every weekend in the Barossa, and I would like to wish those sides all the best as well.

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