The core purpose of governments is to improve our communities.
That includes providing opportunities, progressing safety, providing better education and health, and supporting people in challenging times.
Last week was the final week of Parliament before the election early next year.
The four years of this government has seen over 200 pieces of government legislation passed, from strengthening crime laws so our communities are safer, to banning political donations to ensure money is kept out of politics, as it should be.
We have seen significant investments in the safety and wellbeing of our children online, where children are increasingly at risk, by banning mobile phones in all public high schools and introducing nation-leading legislation to ban children under the age of 16 from social media, which is due to come into effect in the next few weeks.
Education is central to our state’s future. We are investing in early education as well as the needs of today’s families through three-year-old pre-school, with recruitment already underway for services to roll out next year.
Building a new Tech College in Mount Gambier, and upgrades to TAFE are also important for filling local skills shortages and giving our young people pathways to essential jobs and fulfilling local careers.
Drought has impacted nearly all of our state, and a significant drought relief package has provided support to the farmers who are essential to our ability to feed our state.
Our local health system has seen a doubling of mental health beds, new drug and alcohol withdrawal inpatient beds and a new Emergency Department (ED) short-stay Unit, as well as Federal investment into a new dedicated Cancer Care Centre.
Government’s role is to improve communities – through growing prosperity, delivering new jobs, building a stronger health system and caring for our people.
As we look to the future, I’m keen to see the impact the implementation of these initiatives and new laws will have on our communities. There have been many local people involved in developing these projects, and their input has been invaluable.
Thank you to everyone who cares about our community and our state.
Clare Scriven
Member of the Legislative Council
