My Policy Positions

As an Independent member, I will never be beholden to a party, so I can always vote for the best outcomes for Waite. This means that, as issues arise, I will form policies which continue to reflect the needs of our community.

As Mayor, I have been available on a weekly basis, via my Share with the Mayor community forum, as well as by appointment. This has allowed all residents to visit and share their thoughts and grievances. As your elected member I will continue to be available to the community, both casually and by appointment, so as to stay in touch with your ideas and concerns.

Below are my current thoughts on several policy areas. I will continue to expand and refine these ideas, taking into account community feedback, and will always consider new evidence in determining my position.

ACCOUNTABILITY 

Like many South Australians I am deeply disappointed that transparency and accountability of elected representatives is a topic that needs comment. Our politicians should be role models for society, however recently reported behaviour of both state and federal politicians has shown that antisocial and dishonest behaviour is both rampant and accepted in our parliaments. I am distressed, in particular, by the treatment of women in our parliaments and will advocate for the highest standards of personal behaviour and a safe, fair and equitable workplace for all.

INTEGRITY OF PARLIAMENTARIANS

Our leaders should be honest, accountable, and always acting in the best interests of their constituents. they should be role models for our communities. Whether administered through ICAC, the police, or some other entity, an effective means of enforcing the elected members Code of Conduct is absolutely necessary, and breaches should attract penalties - such as loss of entitlements. I am committed to an equitable and respectful workplace for all.

POLITICAL DONATIONS

The current system of political donations and disclosures not only advantages the major parties over independent candidates, but encourages and legitimises payment for political favours. I support the real time reporting of political donations, so that political favours resulting from donations can more easily be tracked, and a reduction in disclosure so that all donations over $1000 (rather than the current $5000) are required to be reported.

OPEN DIARY

The public should know who our politicians are meeting and why, and also who they have refused to meet. MP’s diaries should be open and available for public scrutiny.

HEALTH

MY COVID READY PLAN

At the beginning of the pandemic we were caught short on medical supplies - masks, hand sanitiser, gloves, and other protective equipment. Two years later we were queueing overnight to get tested, trying to make booster appointments using failed booking systems, and had a shortage of testing kits and Covid medication. My plan is to make sure that never happens again. ​​Under the plan, key government agencies such as SAHealth would be required to release details to state parliament of emergency medical supplies, such as:

  • Stockpiles of medical protective equipment, including masks, sanitiser, gowns and face shields

  • Stockpiles and future orders of testing kits

  • Orders for COVID vaccines, flu vaccines and treatment drugs

  • Capacity reports on booking systems for mass testing, vaccination or treatment​

  • Distribution logistics​​

Covid has been a wake up call for government planners and past lessons from bad flu seasons and previous epidemics and pandemics should be remembered. By ensuring agencies report to parliament regularly, the temptation to let supply levels drop will be prevented, with the added incentive for government agencies to keep their systems up to date.

RAMPING

In a medical emergency, every South Australian should be able to ring for an ambulance, be transported to a hospital, and receive immediate treatment. Recent reports of ramping, long wait times, and inadequate care, point to a system which is broken. While the pandemic has obviously had an impact, are there deeper issues with our healthcare system?

Before we can solve a problem we need to understand it. We need a health assessment of our health system to identify gaps, inefficiencies, and areas in which the workload can be spread. I’m keen to understand the gaps in our healthcare system in order to get it up and running again so that all South Australians can be sure that a hospital bed is available when you need it. In recent discussions with experts some suggestions have been, looking at out of hours alternatives for those who need treatment - but not admission to hospital, expanding the roles of pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and other health professionals, and creating dedicated 24 hour clinics, particularly for respiratory issues, to reduce the numbers going to the emergency department.

MENTAL HEALTH

There is no doubt that living in the shadow of Covid-19 has affected the mental health of many. Loneliness is a key health problem that has increased with the social isolation brought about during the pandemic. Our children are increasingly worried about their schooling, their health and their future. I am told by members of our community that because of shortages there are problems even accessing a mental health professional, let alone being able to choose between them. I will advocate for ongoing additional financial support to the sector in order to train staff and deliver vital services to an increasing number of people, from all walks of life.

CLIMATE

Last year we suffered extreme heat and bushfires; this year it’s extensive flooding and freezing weather in mid summer. Our climate is becoming more and more erratic and unpredictable. In the absence of action by our federal government, it is even more imperative that state and local government show leadership in preparing for and mitigating the effects of climate change. I will advocate for immediate meaningful action on climate change.

A STATE WIDE SOLAR PLAN

We know that using solar energy helps reduce emissions and can save money. During my Mayoral campaign in 2018 I floated the idea that the Mitcham Council Area could become Australia’s first 100% solar powered city by advocating that council provide access to solar panels and batteries at no upfront cost for residents and businesses. Very recently Mitcham Council voted to make this a reality!

The Mitcham Council Community Renewable Energy Program, in collaboration with ShineHub, will allow residents, businesses, and tenants (via landlords) to access solar PV and batteries at no upfront cost, and provide an option to participate in a Virtual Power Plant (VVP).

VPPs stabilise the electricity grid by providing power at peak times. In times of peak demand VPPs draw a small amount of energy from each of the participants solar batteries and sell the combined energy back into the electricity grid.

Not only do participants receive cash rewards for helping support the grid (via VPP community credits and other savings that can help lower energy bills), but they also help to create a cleaner, smarter and more reliable energy system for the future. It is expected that a pilot program will commence in the middle of this year with expressions of interest to participate open in April.

Harnessing and delivering solar energy through programs such as this form the basis of my plan to provide cheap electricity to all South Australians and to re-establish South Australia as the state of smart manufacturing. A great example of a product that could kickstart the revitalisation of our manufacturing sector is low cost electric vehicles.

BUSHFIRE SAFETY

In 2009 the new bushfire rating of "catastrophic" was introduced. This was to describe new, more intense fire conditions in which a fire is extremely difficult to control and takes significant fire fighting resources and cooler conditions to bring under control. Importantly, homes are not designed or constructed to withstand these fires conditions. The advice from the CFS is to stay away from areas under these conditions.

However, it is sometimes difficult to understand when and where these conditions will exist. The Mount Lofty Ranges Bushfire Management Area is one of 9 in South Australia, and spans a huge area. Bushfire Danger ratings are issued for the whole Area which means that sometimes they aren't accurate for some locations.

For example, conditions in Strathalbyn may be catastrophic, but not in the Mitcham Hills, although both are part of the Mt Lofty Ranges.

In conjunction with BOM and the CFS I would like to investigate the creation of smaller Bushfire Danger Zones, so that warnings can be more targeted and more accurate. I believe the additional information would be helpful for our community to be more proactive and better prepared.

PROTECTION FOR TREES

We know that tree canopy is essential to creating climate resilient communities. Large trees cool our homes and suburbs, improve our health and wellbeing, increase property values and reduce energy bills, however, Adelaide is losing its significant, regulated and mature trees at an incredible rate. As South Australian tree protection legislation is among the weakest of all the states I support legislative change to bring SA regulations in line with that of other states such as Vic and NSW.

Changes should include:

  • requiring government departments (such as DIT and DfE) to conduct consultation and obtain planning approval before removing regulated and significant trees.

  • removing the exemptions to planning regulations introduced in 2011 that allow the removal of mature trees, on private land, without approval, ie; stop whole-scale clearing of blocks.

  • increasing offset scheme fees to match the costs that are consequently passed on to Councils to plant, establish and maintain replacement trees.

  • increasing the number and size of trees required by the Planning and Design Code to be planted in new developments.

  • re-visiting the 5, 10 and 20 metre tree clearing rules to determine their relevance and efficacy based on scientific evidence.

  • working with local governments to create a collaborative, holistic approach to open space and canopy, retention and growth.

THE LYNTON BIKE TRAIL

The Lynton bike trail is a shared use commuter trail. That means mere humans like me should be able to use it to get safely up and down the hill, without risking life and limb on either Old Belair or Belair Roads. We know that the surface is deteriorating and the gradient is too steep for most users. So let's either fix it, or find a viable alternative! My commitment to the residents of Waite is to advocate for a safe, useable bike track from Blackwood to Belair, then up/down the hill. We also need funding for the extension of the Rugby Street bike route through Unley, to allow safe bicycle riding to the city from the hills, foothills and plains suburbs of Waite.

 CLIMATE ACTION NOW CAMPAIGN

The Climate Action Now campaign, which sees the non-political Conservation Council SA working in partnership with Climate Action Network Australia and the Australian Conservation Foundation asks South Australians to hang Climate Action Now signs in homes, gardens, and businesses to show support for the campaign to encourage immediate climate action. I’m seeing them everywhere! I encourage everyone who is concerned about government acting on climate change to hang one of these free signs on their fence, letterbox or window.

EDUCATION

Recently I have been shocked by announcements by both major parties that individual schools will receive funding should a particular party form government. I find this appalling. All parties should be striving for educational excellence at all schools, for all children. The South Australian education system was once the envy of all the states of Australia. We were leaders in the field and I am keen to see us return to this position.

At a local level my discussions have lead me to support the following positions.

IMPROVED KISS AND DROP ZONES

I have heard from parents and principals that one of the major issues at most schools is traffic management and congestion at peak times, particularly around parent parking and kiss and drop zones. When the zones don’t function correctly there are impacts on safety which affect the surrounding community. I will advocate for funding to investigate and implement options to improve the safety for staff, children, parents, and passing motorists at the kiss and drop zones of our schools.

SOLAR ON SCHOOLS

I am fully supportive of the Australian Parents for Climate Action’s call to install solar panels and batteries at all schools and childcare centres in SA. This will keep our kids cool in summer and warm in winter, allowing them to concentrate on their studies in comfort, the Department for Education, schools and child care centres will save on power bills and we will reduce our state’s carbon footprint. :)


COMMUNITY

Below are the projects which I will advocate for in state Parliament because I believe they will most benefit the people of Waite. The list is by no means exhaustive and I would be only too happy to meet with you or your group to discuss additional ideas.

YOUNG ST AND WAITE ST RESERVE UPGRADES

Much as the inspirational upgrade of the Mitcham Memorial Library and Brown Hill Creek precinct has lifted the whole Mitcham area, so the new Blackwood Hub building, and Young St and Waite Street reserve upgrades will be the catalyst for new development in the Blackwood precinct. As your Independent MP I will advocate for $3 million to complete these works.

The upgraded Young Street will become a multi-use space providing much needed additional parking, but also usable for community events such as markets, our door movies and community celebrations. The funding arrangement with @cityofmitcham would also be used to complete an extensive upgrade of the Waite Street reserves which might include elements such as water play fountains, permeable pathways and additional nature play areas. Additionally the finishing touches to the new Blackwood library/community centre, such as a rooftop green space would be completed.

Completing the new precinct is a must for residential and business communities of the Mitcham Hills and I am committed to advocating for funding to complete this project.

ACTIVATE BELAIR NATIONAL PARK

As your Independent MP I will advocate for funding to properly maintain and re-activate the Belair National Park to make it Waite's greatest asset. Our park has so much untapped potential as a destination for both locals and tourists. While additional funding is required to properly maintain this state treasure - for weed removal, bushfire control, and the maintenance and of the existing facilities, there is also enormous potential at the old golf course site for additional facilities such as an outdoor eco swimming pool, dedicated dog park, second adventure playground, additional bike trails, frisbee golf, Kaurna cultural centre.....

The possibilities are endless.

Let's make the Belair National Park even better. I will advocate for the creation of a masterplan in consultation with the First Nationals peoples, environmental and tourism experts and the community, to unlock the potential of this national gem and, for the staged delivery of the plan.

SMALL BUSINESS

I am a great fan of small businesses for many reasons, including that they give our shopping precincts added character and uniqueness, they support the local residents by providing great service, they employ local people, and support our local schools and clubs. 

transport

I am committed to holding government accountable for prioritising the development and delivery of such a plan based on evidence and future modelling, rather than knee-jerk reaction, band-aid solutions and unplanned election promises. Greater Adelaide desperately needs an integrated transport plan which encompasses all modes of transport: road, rail, pedestrian and cycling, moving people and freight, both by private and public transport. Our State needs to plan for the future rather than reacting to the unplanned past which has morphed into the chaotic, congested present. We need to provide workable alternatives which prioritise public transport, walking and cycling throughout Greater Adelaide.


GET FREIGHT TRAINS OUT OF THE HILLS AND TRUCKS OFF CROSS ROAD

I have long been an advocate of a Greater Adelaide road and freight bypass (Northern and/or Southern). It is ridiculous to encourage B2 trucks thundering through our suburbs, along routes such as Cross Rd and Portrush Rd, when time and money could be saved by trucks bypassing the city, and the health and wellbeing of residents could be improved.

JAMES/OLD BELAIR ROADS ROUNDABOUT

As your member of Parliament, I will advocate community concerns by calling on the Minister for Transport to:

  • immediately halt this project, in the first instance, until the effects of the upgrade to the Belair Triangle upgrade can be seen and measured.

  • undertake a transport study into ways to improve the safety of right-hand turns from James Road onto Old Belair Road that (a) is cost efficient, (b) does not attract more vehicles on to James Road and (c) does not require extensive tree removal at Randall Reserve.

  • reallocate the bulk of the $20m funds earmarked for the proposed roundabout to address unfunded roadworks, such as improvements to the Laffers/Main Road intersection, East Terrace/Main Rd intersection, Fullarton Rd/Carrick Hill Dr or fixing the Lynton bike trail.    

  • COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES

  • SHORT FARE SOLUTIONS

  • SAFER ROAD CROSSINGS