Day 1 Today I attended the official opening of the Callington Primary School's new administration building and classroom block. The rest of the day was spent campaigning around the electorate and making final preparations for election day tomorrow. more

Day 2 This morning I spoke with several constituents about issues that are of concern to them, such as education and some other general election issues. Later, I headed to Goolwa to open the Goolwa Visitors Centre with the Mayor of Alexandrina Council, Kym McHugh.  more

Day 3 Today I attended the South Coast Veterans Association's Vietnam Veterans Day in Victor Harbor.  I gave a speech acknowledging the hard work and dedication of our servicemen and laid a wreath in their honour. more

Day 4 This morning I met up with State Member for Kavel, Mark Goldsworthy, and we visited small businesses in Lobethal and Woodside. Shortly after, Malcolm Turnbull joined me in visiting small businesses in Stirling, and we chatted with locals from the area. This afternoon I appeared on ABC News 24 with Richard Marles, where we discussed election matters. Download part one of the segment here: LinkClick.aspx Download part two of the segment here: LinkClick.aspx more

Day 5 Today I visited several local businesses in Mount Barker and discussed issues of concern with members of the community.

Day 6 Today I campaigned in Stirling and continued organising logistics for Election Day.

Day 7 This morning I campaigned locally in Mount Barker.  It's always great getting feedback from my constituents and giving them the opportunity to raise with me any issues of concern they may have. This evening I attended the Uraidla Districts Football Club's opening of the new extensions to the clubrooms, followed by awards presentation and dinner. more

Day 8 This morning I met with constituents on issues including disability services and occupational therapy. Soon after, I spoke on 5aa with Leon Byner about food security, specifically about apples. Later I met with Mount Barker Mayor Ann Ferguson, Neighbourhood Watch representatives, Mark Goldsworthy and Mount Barker police to discuss potential crime prevention projects that could be implemented to make Mount Barker safer and more secure. I headed to Williamstown for further campaignin... more

Day 9 First thing this morning I was interviewed by Radio 5EFM about general election issues. Later this afternoon I headed to Aldgate and then Bridgewater for campaigning and to meet with the locals in these areas. more

Day 10 I headed to Hindmarsh Island early this morning to meet with Tony Abbott and other South Australian Parliamentarians where Tony announced that an elected Coalition Government would commit $750 million to a plan for the Murray-Darling Basin.   Here, I spoke with the media about this announcement. Upon arriving back at the office, I was interviewed by national radio program 'The Wire' about water issues, particularly about the Murray-Darling Basin and the Co... more

Day 11 This morning I spoke on 891 ABC Mornings about Labor's water policy announcement. Later, I met with the Australian Rail Track Corporation to discuss matters important to the Adelaide Hills, including the Ambleside crossing loop, also with State Opposition Leader, Isobel Redmond. more

Day 12 First thing this morning I headed to the city to appear on SkyNews AM Agenda to speak with Richard Marles.  Download part one of the segment here: LinkClick.aspx Download part two of the segment here: LinkClick.aspx This afternoon, I met up with District Council of Mount Barker Mayor, Ann Ferguson, and Senator Simon Birmingham to discuss potential environmental projects for Mount Barker. Senator Birmingham and I later visited Goolwa. more

Day 13 Today the kids and I visited the Macclesfield Market.  It was fantastic to see that that the spirit of small businesses is alive and well, providing us with such fresh produce all from local sources.  more

Day 14 This morning I visited the Mount Barker Farmers Market and the Echunga Market.  It was fantastic to see such a vast selection of local produce and the showcasing of small businesses. Later in the morning I moved to Strathalbyn and then to Goolwa for campaigning and to meet and greet with the locals. more

Day 15 I started off the day by meeting with several constituents on issues such as immigration and men's health. I then headed to Victor Harbor, where I attended the RSL Victor Harbor Sub Branch Lunch Meeting and then made an announcement about increase measures for crime prevention in Victor Harbor. Soon after, I was a guest speaker at the Toop & Toop Real Estate Expo at the Victor Harbor Town Hall, where I discussed the future for Mayo.  more

Day 16 I started the day by being interviewed by Radio Adelaide program, 'The Wire', where we discussed focus groups in politics that I highlighted in my blog earlier this week.  You can read this in the 'Blogs' section on my website. Later, I headed to Cornerstone College where I planted trees with the State Member for Kavel, Mark Goldsworthy and students from the school in honour of National Tree Day. Following this, I attended the Birdwood High School assembly, where I... more

Day 17 This morning I met with local exporters to discuss the Coalition's trade policy and the Export Market Development Grant Scheme (EMDG). In the afternoon, I visited a local business in Uraidla to discuss the challenges associated with running a business in that area. more

Day 18 To start the day I held a community morning tea in Hahndorf at the Hahndorf Institute.  This gave the locals the opportunity to join me for a cup of tea and the chance to raise with me any issues that they have.  The Mayor of the District Council of Mount Barker, Ann Ferguson, also attended and mingled with Hanhdorf residents. This afternoon I appeared on ABC News 24 with Craig Emerson, and discussed election matters. Download the audio/vision here: LinkClick.asp... more

Day 19 This morning I headed to Kangaroo Island for the day. Upon arrival, I visited local businesses including Finding Workable Solutions and Kangaroo Island Children's Services Inc. I spent much of the afternoon meeting with residents in Kingscote, where they raised with me issues of concern to them. I also visited Kangaroo Island Premium Oysters at American River Wharf.   Before boarding the ferry from Penneshaw back to Cape Jervis, I met with residents of Sapphireto... more

Day 20 This morning I planted trees at Laratinga Wetlands with Estee and the kids for National Tree Day. The District Council of Mount Barker did a fantastic job organising the event in conjunction with our Local Lions Club. This afternoon I attended the official opening of the SALA Festival at Hayleys Art House in Woodside with Mayor Bill Cooksley of Adelaide Hills Council also in attendance. more

Day 21 I spent this morning campaigning in Aberfoyle Park, and had the chance to speak to lots of residents in this area. Then despite the rain, we then headed to Yankalilla for further campaigning. Later on in the afternoon I officially launched Erika Walter's exhibition for the SALA Festival in Lobethal. more

Day 22 Today I attended the ballot draw for the electorate of Mayo at the Australian Electoral Commission office in Stirling.  I was selected as the number two position on the House of Representatives ballot paper. Much of the rest of the afternoon was spent visiting local businesses and campaigning on the streets of Stirling with Isobel Redmond, followed by lunch at the Stirling Hotel. Later I attended the public forum on the Adelaide Rail Freight Northern Bypass at... more

Day 23 Today I was pleased to announce that an elected Federal Liberal Government will provide $2 million funding to help build a South Coast swimming pool complex. To view the story on the front page of the Victor Harbor Times today, click here: LinkClick.aspx more

Day 24 I was interviewed by Great Southern FM in Victor Harbor this morning about general election issues and about the issues I am fighting for in Mayo. Much of the afternoon was spent campaigning in Uraidla and Balhannah and talking with the locals in these areas.       I then headed to Verdun for the first anniversary of the Early Learning Centre at the Hills Christian Community School. I finished the day with dinner with the Shadow Treasurer, Joe ... more

Day 25 Today I met up with Kym McHugh, the Mayor of Alexandrina Council and also Pat Chigwidden, the Deputy Mayor of the City of Victor Harbor in Victor Harbor to discuss potential community projects. Campaigning was also done in this area in addition to Port Elliot, Middleton and Goolwa.    more

Day 26 This busy day started with my appearance on SkyNews AM Agenda with Richard Marles.  Download part one of the appearance here: LinkClick.aspx Download part two of the appearance here: LinkClick.aspx The rest of the morning was spent meeting with constituents on local issues, such as housing. I then headed to Crafers to meet with the Adelaide Hills Mayor, Bill Cooksley, to discuss environmental projects for the Adelaide Hills. The day finished with my first appearan... more

Day 27 This afternoon I attended the Macclesfield Sub Branch's 'Christmas in July'. It was great to engage with more locals in this relaxed atmosphere. more

Day 28 This morning started off with a press conference alongside Senator Cory Bernardi at the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market about state Labor's plans to inappropriately develop the areas in and around Mount Barker. Later in the day I took my kids to the Nairne vs Bremner United football game at Nairne Oval. In the evening I attended the Mount Barker Football Club dinner at Gilbert's Adelaide Hills Toyota Mount Barker Showroom.  This was a great chance to talk to the locals and show... more

Day 29 I spent today campaigning and meeting with locals in Mount Compass.

Day 30 The morning started with constituent meetings, followed by the Adelaide Hills Domestic Violence Action Group forum in Hahndorf to help increase awareness of this issue. Later in the day I headed to Aberfoyle Park for more campaigning. I attended a citizenship ceremony for 15 residents in Mount Barker, followed by the Hills Disability Housing AGM. more

Day 31 Today I attended the lunch meeting of the Strathalbyn Racing Club, of which I am an honorary member. It was an excellent opportunity to talk to people in Mayo in a casual environment and to hear their concerns. Later, I drove to Victor Harbor to attend the opening of the new Finding Workable Solutions office. Further campaigning was done in Port Elliot and Middleton. The evening ended with my attendance at the Alexandrina Business Network event, and this was a great opportunity t... more

Day 32 Despite the heavy rain, I went out and about in Mayo to meet more of my constituents.  I visited Mount Torrens and Mount Pleasant.

Day 33 The day started with campaigning and meeting constituents in Victor Harbor. I met with the co-ordinators of the Victor Harbor Real Estate Expo which will begin on August 6 at the Victor Harbor Town Hall. I later met up with the Mayor of Mount Barker, Ann Ferguson, to announce that a Liberal Government will provide funding to build a second freeway interchange in Mount Barker. This is an issue that is very important to the community and was included by many in responses to Mayo... more

Day 34 Today I continued postering with my volunteers. 

Day 35 After days of mounting speculation, the Prime Minister announced that we will be voting in the next federal election on August 21. I headed to Aberfoyle Park where I held a Mobile Electorate Office in the morning. It was attended by many locals keen to raise with me the issues that are concerning them. One of my promises when I was elected in 2008 was to establish these Mobile Electorate Offices so I am accessible to all constituents no matter where they live. I have... more