Time flies! It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since I was elected to represent you in our state’s Parliament.

Being a Member of Parliament is a great job which, although filled with challenges, is diverse, interesting and often fun. I feel blessed to be in a position where I can meet people from all walks of life, share your stories and work to represent you on local and state issues.     

As I connect with local residents I sense that the historical ties which voters have had with political parties are breaking down. First and foremost people want someone in this job who thinks and acts independently within their party; who is not afraid to challenge the status quo and is a representative who does just that: represents them.

The Queensland election and ongoing federal polling show a high level of volatility in the electorate which was described by journalist Troy Bramston as ‘accountability politics’, with the electorate much more likely now than in the past to punish politicians who are perceived as underperforming or out of touch. This is a warning for anyone involved in politics to lift their game, put the needs of communities first and continually communicate about what is going on.

Last week I received a bit of attention when I delivered a speech in Parliament calling for improved conduct in the chamber. I receive many complaints and comments about this matter, but I was prompted to make this speech when I recently had 20 guests visit parliament and they later spoke to me about their disgust at the behaviour of politicians. While I am conscious of sounding sanctimonious about this matter, I do continually receive feedback from our community that, while they expect there to be robust debate in parliament, parliamentarians need to strive to work together for the good of South Australia. There are many challenges facing our state at the moment and none of them will be solved by poor behaviour in the Parliament. You can read my speech here.

I hope that in my first year in the job I have been able to demonstrate some of these qualities and I relish the opportunity to continue this approach.

David.

There are many interesting and artistic individuals and groups in our community and I want to take this opportunity to showcase some of the work they do. They not only create beautiful art, but they also facilitate a sense of belonging and community amongst their members and, in some cases, sprinkle our community with character.

Driving along Newland Avenue in Marino, I noticed that the stobie poles along that street had come to life with amazing images adorning many of them; a bit of investigation revealed that this was the handiwork of the Marion Art Group.  

The Marion Art Group has been established for over 33 years and is a dynamic group with members who work in different styles and mediums. Professional artists are regularly invited to give demonstrations and workshops and the committee also supports a charity each year by raffling a painting at each of their exhibitions. 

Marion Art Group meets on Mondays between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm at Marino Community Hall, 44 Newland Avenue, Marino. New members are always welcome and, if you would like more information, please phone Kay Hague on 0400 659 176 or email brokensh@internode.on.net

Another artistic organisation which has regular meetings in the area is the Pastel Artists of South Australia (PASA).  PASA meets locally at Cooinda Neighbourhood Centre beside the City of Marion council chambers.

PASA was created specifically to promote and teach the versatility of painting with pastels, and members vary from serious painters to complete beginners.

Meetings usually feature an experienced demonstrator from their own ranks or a non-member artist who has agreed to share technical knowledge and, by watching these demonstrations, participants gradually begin to understand the medium and the techniques.

Meetings are held from 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm on the second Saturday of each month at Cooinda Neighbourhood Centre, 245 Sturt Road, Sturt. There is a $5 entrance fee to cover refreshments, rental and the activity or demonstration. If you would like more information, visit www.pastelartistsofsouthaustralia.org or contact Secretary Kerry Hocking on 8388 3418 or email pasasecretary11@gmail.com.

Splashout Studios is a popular, independent art complex located in a light-filled, courtyard setting, surrounded by trees overlooking the sea at Marino Rocks. This studio is a great space for beginners or experienced artists to explore their creativity. Splashout specialises in classes, courses and workshops with guest artists and also sells art supplies.

Splashout has recently opened a gallery at 71a Jetty Road, Brighton. Here you can view and purchase the work of the studio's students.

If you would like to hire out the studio, that is possible too! For more information, visit www.splashout.net.au, phone 8296 3859 or email art@splashout.net.au

During the election campaign, I worked with the community to come up with six priorities for our community. These are the areas I want to work on with the community to drive improvements. Each year I will provide an annual report on the progress being made on each of the priorities. To read my full annual report visit www.davidspeirs.com.au/annual-report-a-year-in-bright.

I’m committed to getting Brighton Road moving and will fight to see a long-term plan put in place for its management. Brighton road is in need of major infrastructure upgrades including a railway overpass, but also requires other short to medium-term improvements. Most recently I have written to the Minister regarding the following necessary upgrades:

The road surface

As you may be aware, last year I made representations to the Transport Minister urging him to take immediate steps to improve the condition of this major arterial thoroughfare and I was disappointed by the response I received. It indicated that the Department of Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) had inspected Brighton Road, did not think it needed to be a priority and that resurfacing would be some time away. Those of us who drive on this road every day know that this is not the case and I continued to make representations regarding this matter. Thankfully, after concerted complaints from the community, there has been a change of heart and, as many of you would be aware, a significant section of the southbound lane, from Sturt Road through to Arthur Street was recently resurfaced.

I am very pleased with this outcome; however, the equivalent northbound section remains in very poor condition (in fact, this section has always been in poorer condition than the resurfaced southbound lanes) and is in need of urgent repair. I will continue to push for this to be made a priority.

Beautification of Brighton Road

I also recently made representations regarding the condition and poor visual amenity of the median strip on Brighton Road. The strip is unkempt, weed-ridden and breaking up right along the road, but in particular in the area which has been resurfaced. I have canvassed the possibility of landscaping options to improve the aesthetics of the median strip, including the greening of the area as I believe this would deliver a real aesthetic benefit for our city’s main coastal thoroughfare.

I will continue to make representations to the state government regarding Brighton Road and, if you have any comments or suggestions, be sure to make them known at my dedicated campaign website www.fixbrightonroad.com.au.

The most common issue raised with me since my election has been the sound of the horn on the new electric trains. This noise pollution is having a big impact on the quality of life of many residents living near the Seaford line.

I have been repeatedly assured by the Transport Minister that the issue has been resolved, but within minutes the next invasive blast from the horn reminds us that this isn’t the case.

This is not a matter of safety versus train horns. I believe that in 2015 an appropriate balance can be found.

Working alongside residents, I have launched a major campaign to tackle this issue.  This has included:

• A media campaign with appearances on ABC news and discussions on radio and in the print media
• A petition tabled in parliament and a speech delivered on the issue (view my speech at www.davidspeirs.com.au/speeches)
• Meetings with the Transport Minister and departmental officials (as yet unsuccessful – they are not listening!)
• Significant research into alternative warning devices.

We have also recently launched a website and online petition at www.fixthetrainhorn.com and I would encourage you to visit this site, sign the petition and and get others to do the same.

If you have concerns about the horns, please write to Transport Minister, Stephen Mullighan and have your say. He can be reached at GPO Box 1533, Adelaide, 5000, or emailed at Stephen.mullighan@parliament.sa.gov.au

The rezoning process to make residential development possible at the Cement Hill site adjacent Scholefield Road, is nearly complete.

As readers who have been receiving this email for some time would know, this has been a matter I have taken a keen interest in since my time as the local councillor for this area.

Cement Hill (also known as the Lorenzin site) has been zoned 'Industrial' for decades and a lengthy rezoning process has been ongoing since late 2012, complicated and slowed by the fact that the land sits between two council areas (Holdfast Bay and Marion). I am advised by the City of Marion that the process is now in its final weeks, with the rezoning process to be presented to council in April or May, before going to the state government for final sign off.

Last week, I met with the land owners to discuss their future plans for the site. I have been assured that as soon as the rezoning process is complete, the dilapidated buildings will be pulled down and work begun to clear the entire site.

There will be one final community consultation meeting prior to the rezoning process being completed and I will let you know when this is scheduled as soon as I know.

At the beginning of the year, I had the privilege of being able to travel to Zimbabwe as a guest of World Vision. Zimbabwe has been brought to its knees as a result of corrupt leadership and I witnessed a country that seems paralysed by fear and choked by bureaucracy.
 
While there I travelled to a rural area known as Zvishvani. Here the sealed roads ended and travel was via a network of sandy paths. After a couple of hours we reached a community which is supported by World Vision Australia and which is desperately trying to build a local school. Young people have to walk 15km to school in the morning and 15km home in the afternoon. That’s the equivalent of walking between Hallett Cove and Glenelg, the length of my electorate, twice a day!

There’s no doubt that going to a place like Zimbabwe changes your perspective; many of the issues detailed in this newsletter – while important locally – would fade into insignificance in Zimbabwe, where life expectancy is one of the lowest in the world and unemployment is at 80%.

I’m keen to use my position of influence in Australia to partner with World Vision to help a regional community in Zimbabwe, and I want as many organisations, schools, churches, service clubs and other groups in my electorate to join me. If you’re interested in being involved, please get in touch with my office.

The best way to do this job is to front up on doorsteps and talk to people, listening to what they believe are the priorities for our community and using what I find out to shape my work.

With this in mind, during the months of March/April, I will be making a concerted effort to communicate face to face with hundreds of local residents. Taking advantage of what will hopefully be mild autumn weather (here's hoping!), I have set myself a target to knock on 1,000 doors. As I write this update, I am currently a quarter of the way to my goal!

If I don't knock on your door during this campaign, I hope I will have the opportunity to do so shortly and you can always contact me at bright@parliament.sa.gov.au or catch up with what I'm doing by visiting my website: www.davidspeirs.com.au

I love citizenship ceremonies. New citizens are excited to formally become Australians and hopeful about their future in this great country. I became a citizen in 2008 at a City of Holdfast Bay ceremony on Australia Day and it is great to now share the joy and excitement of this momentous occasion with others.

At the 25 January ceremony, I landed back in Adelaide from travelling to Zimbabwe with World Vision only 45 minutes before. Thankfully, I was still able to make the event and welcome 111 new Australians!

In 2014, I launched the Bright Christmas Appeal which ran for a month and was promoted through email, social media and also at Christmas in the Garden, a Christmas function for volunteers. This appeal supported three local causes: Parkinson’s SA, Kingston Historic House and the Hallett Cove South Primary School playground fund.

I am pleased to relay to you that the appeal raised $512.00 and, as the funds were split equally between the three causes, each of the above causes received a cheque for $170. 

Thank you to everyone who supported the Bright Christmas Appeal and I am glad that we can be part of supporting these great causes.

To celebrate the incredible contribution of volunteers, I hosted the inaugural Christmas in the Garden event late last year which was attended by approximately 70 volunteers from 30 different clubs and organisations.

It was great to catch up with a great group of community-focused locals and to have the opportunity to say thank you personally to the many groups that I work alongside.

How we treat our animals is often said to be a reflection on humankind. Animal welfare is important to many people I speak to in the electorate and I have been proud to champion legislation which the Liberal Party has introduced into parliament to crack down on puppy farms and also legislation to regulate the greyhound racing industry following the appalling revelations on ABC’s ‘Four Corners’. I am hopeful that the State Labor Government will provide bipartisan support for these important new laws.

Cost of living pressures are continually eating into our discretionary incomes and lowering the quality of life experienced by many South Australians. The government’s recent hike to the Emergency Services Levy has greatly increased this tax, with many households paying hundreds of dollars more than their last bill.  The Liberal Party has announced that, if elected at the next election, we will restore the levy to its previous levels.

The most financially vulnerable people in our community are those who survive on fixed incomes. Government should be looking out for these people rather than adding to their cost of living. The state Liberal Party will block the removal of pensioner concessions in the Upper House (where we will combine our numbers with the minor parties) to ensure that this vital concession is maintained. This will help thousands of people living in my electorate who rely on this support.

When Dr Paul Kerin resigned as head of the Essential Services Commission last year, he said that the state government was ‘stymying’ efforts to reduce water prices and had ‘no interest’ in reform that serves customers interests. It has now become clear that the government uses SA Water as a cash cow to prop up its budget, costing South Australian households dearly in excessive water bills. The Liberals are initiating an inquiry into water pricing in this state to create pressure for a better system.

The announcement that the Repatriation Hospital will be closed has caused huge outrage in the community. The loss of this facility will be a tremendous blow to high quality care in South Australia and will put tremendous pressure on other hospitals.

The Liberal Party has taken a strong and vocal stance against the closure because it simply does not make sense to us. We acknowledge the need to have a finacially sustainable health system, but we just cannot hit our most vulnerable. The Liberal Party has put together an online petition to let the government know that this closure is unacceptable. You can sign it at www.savetherepat.com

Surf life saving is a great way of life and something I’ve enjoyed being part of for many years. There are three surf clubs in Bright: Seacliff, Brighton and Somerton.

To support and celebrate the work of surf life saving in South Australia, I have co-convened the Parliamentary Friends of Surf Life Saving with Chris Picton, the MP for the south coast seat of Kaurna. We will work closely with Surf Life Saving South Australia to host and attend events which promote life saving.