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Defending the right of Mums to have a safe home birth The two greatest experiences of my life occurred in a birthing suite.   The birth of a new baby is an exhilarating experience that produces emotions from deep within your soul.   Yet somehow I think the emotions that child birth produces in woman are even more significant. Obviously pregnancy causes massive physical change but less obvious is the enormous emotional change having a baby ushers in.   My wife and I were very lucky with both our babies. High quality medical advice mixed with relatively easy births (that comment is sure to get me into hot water) meant that our experience was everything we could have hoped for.   It was a very intense and private experience.    That is why I was surprised when I saw the Federal Government’s reforms to maternity services, in particular I was very surprised by a small but concerning provision in the legislation that bans a range of medical ... more

Victor Harbor Mobile Electorate Office I was pleased to meet with approximately 35 Victor Harbor and Port Elliot residents on Saturday at my Regional Mobile Electorate Office.   Held at the Victor Harbor Library, the meeting was part of my on-going commitment to Mayo and it provided an opportunity for constituents to raise issues in a casual atmosphere.   The overwhelming concern raised at the meeting was the implications of the Rudd Government’s stimulus package. It is clear residents share the Coalition’s concern about the level of debt and how this will effect future generations.   The Lower Lakes continues to be another issue at the forefront of public concern and a number of constituents expressed their views on voluntary euthanasia.   I thank all of those who attended, the feedback is valuable in helping me fulfil the role as the Mayo voice in Canberra.   more

Pedestrian Crossing Activated - Finally! I was pleased to attend the opening of the new pedestrian activated crossing at the Nairne Primary School this morning.   Whilst not the optimal result, this is certainly a step in the right direction towards improving the safety of the crossing for our children and the community.     This is an issue that I, as well as the Council, my predecessor the Hon. Alexander Downer and Mark Goldsworthy MP have worked hard to fix.   For too long the school has been serviced by the dangerous crossing and finally, after delayed State Government action, our collective efforts have paid off.    There was a sense of relief at the opening that parents and children can finally use a safer crossing and that positive action has been taken.   I will continue to speak with Nairne residents to ensure it operates successfully and that the dangers it previously posed are resolved.   more

Official Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony for the National Servicemen's Memorial (Fleurieu Sub Branch) President Colin Kuchel, Secretary Paul Hewton and Members of the Fleurieu sub-branch of the National Servicemen Association Mr Graham Wilson, State President of the National Servicemen Association Michael Pengilly, State Member for Finniss Mary Lou Corcoran, Mayor of Victor Harbor Ladies and Gentlemen, I thought I would start today by relating a story of my family and its experience with national service. National service changed Dad’s life. My father was a NASHO. He still claims to this day that it is only raffle he has ever won. I discussed this week with him how he was told and how he felt. He told me that he received his official letter in April 1970 and read it with surprise followed shortly after by bewilderment and finally trepidation. An experience that would be familiar to many of you. It meant that he had to leave his job, his family and his then fiancé. Dad’s... more

Last year I had the honour of being elected to the Australian Parliament by the people of Mayo in South Australia. I was elected at a by-election following the retirement of Alexander Downer who had represented Mayo since its inception in 1984. The by-election was hard fought with ten other candidates representing all political parties and a range of independent (with the exception being the Labor Party who chose not to run a candidate presumably because it is so ashamed of how it has treated the Lower Lakes, but that is another story…) Something struck me during and following the campaign that I did not expect and that was the genuine lack of interest in participating in the election. On Election Day just over 80% of those who were entitled to vote did. That means 20,000 people didn’t vote for one reason or another. In the Lyne by-election, which was held on the same day, 87% of electors voted to send the popular Independent Rob Oakshott to Canberra. There are m... more

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Dairy Industry Needs Support Dairy farmers in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula need immediate financial assistance from the Rudd Government to prevent financial disaster in the industry and the loss of many jobs.   Collapsing prices and the reintroduction of trade distorting subsidies by the EU and US have combined to push many farmers to the wall.   Milk prices are at record lows and farmers are selling their milk for between 5 and 10 cents per litre below the cost of production.   Farmers are also being forced to sell off valuable breeding stock and lay off workers as they battle to stay in business. This is putting enormous pressure on farmers and their communities.   The Rudd Government has so far ignored the plight of the farmers, many angry that assistance is given to other struggling industries including Australia’s top banks.   The dairy farmers in Mayo have made representations to me on this issue and I hold genuine fears for the f... more

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