Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-09-05 Daily Xml

Contents

Weatherspoon, Ms Paige

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (16:34): During the winter sitting break, I made the most of the opportunity to spend some time in regional communities. I was even brave enough to make a brief comeback to the hockey field after 15 years to play for Minlaton at my old home ground in Maitland.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: Wait, I will get to that in a second. My family were incredibly excited because it rained for the first time in months, but I have to say a hailstorm does not really make for a great hockey game. As I know you are all dying to know, we lost 12-0.

The Hon. C.M. Scriven: It was the hail.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: It was the hail, but I think the fullback even got a goal against us, so it was a terrible game. Despite the indisputable loss on the hockey field, I did have much more success at the doors of homes in Kadina, Wallaroo Mines and in the Barossa region. The thing I love most about regional South Australia is you can always count on honest but friendly chats. Whether it was from the doors of residents living in Penrice, Angaston or Wallaroo Mines, there was a resounding, strong appreciation for backing local community.

In particular, I would like to touch on time spent in Wallaroo with the leader of the state Labor Party, the member for Croydon from the other place, during one of his many visits through his Labor listening forums in South Australia. The 23rd of August turned out to be a big day in politics, but much of the conversation at the Wallaroo Anglers Inn was not based around the uncertainty of who would be our next prime minister. Residents were more concerned about what was happening in their backyard, and it is a shame our federal colleagues were not doing the same thing.

The reason why I want to discuss this event is to bring to the chamber's attention two special guests who joined us at the Wallaroo Anglers Inn: Nicky and Dwayne Weatherspoon. What makes the Weatherspoon family story so chilling—

The PRESIDENT: Would you like to take a break? I call the Hon. John Dawkins, and we will come back to the Hon. Ms Bourke.