David Speirs MP

The only way to truly understand the opportunities and challenges facing our regional communities across our great state is to get on the ground and engage with the locals.

I’m currently travelling through our Mid North and Yorke Peninsula regions, meeting with schools, community groups and businesses, to connect, listen and learn.

Thanks to Penny Pratt MP and Fraser Ellis MP for hosting me in their electorates which cover amazing parts of our state.

Many people know that Glenthorne at O'Halloran Hill is one of South Australia's newest national parks, saved from a proposed housing development and proclaimed as a protected park when I was Environment Minister.

👮‍♂️ But did you know that Glenthorne was the home of South Australia's first police commissioner?

🐴 Or that some 17,000 horses were trained at this site when it was under the control of the Australian Army during World War One?

🌿 Or that pioneering agricultural research took place here for half a century when it was home to the CSIRO?

On the weekend, I had the pleasure to launch the revised edition of 'Glenthorne, It's History and Politics' written by Dr Pam Smith, Dr Keryn Walsh and Alan Burns. It's a fascinating read.

If you're interested in purchasing a copy, you can contact the Friends of Glenthorne here: https://www.friendsofglenthorne.org.au/contact-us/

The SA Junior Heifer Expo was held at the showgrounds this week, and I dropped by to show my support for the 194 young people participating in the competition. The Expo develops young leaders (aged 8-24) in the beef industry and includes opportunities to show their heifers, demonstrate skills, and share their knowledge through verbal presentations.

As someone who grew up in a farming family (something not everyone knows about me), I have an appreciation for the hard work that goes into raising cattle and it was great to see the skills of these talented future leaders on display. Congratulations to all the competitors!

We’ve said from day one that the CFMEU’s infiltration of South Australia’s construction industry was bad news. Bad for small businesses and bad for South Australia.

We warned Peter Malinauskas of the danger but all he did was welcome John Setka and the CFMEU with open arms. His 2022 election campaign was significantly funded by the union.

More than a year ago, I stood with Crane Services director John Nicholls after the CFMEU held his business to ransom over crippling demands.

Today we welcome news that multiple investigations are underway into the CFMEU and its behaviour. But let’s not kid ourselves that Labor is happy to see this union thuggery stamped out; they’re actually devastated their funding lifeline has been cut off.

Photo credit: Matt Loxton and The Advertiser

Thank you for a brilliant guided tour of murals and other artwork along ! It was fascinating to hear the stories behind each of the works brightening up one of Adelaide’s favourite streets.

This week I was proud to support the Independent Arts Foundation (IAF) for an evening of traditional Scottish music, song and cuisine. The IAF helps to raise funds for emerging artists in South Australia 🎭

The Scottish Evening was to mark the 750th anniversary of the birth of Robert Bruce, King of Scots. It was a pleasure to share my story about growing up in Scotland and my family’s journey to Australia. 🦘

We were entertained by internationally renowned fiddler Catherine Fraser and songs by Michael McGregor, all while enjoying a Scottish feast at the Norwood Hotel!🎻🍴

Thank you for having me IAF! 🙏

Finally, some good news for 12-year-old Chase, whose kick during Gather Round’s “Torp the Torrens” competition won him $2000 on his birthday – or so he thought.

Chase’s family are constituents of mine, and they reached out for help when he hadn’t received his prize three months on from the Gather Round. Despite their own best efforts, they were worried they might never receive the prize money from the AFL at all!

Even though I’m Leader of the Opposition, importantly I’m also a local MP and I’ll go into bat for those in my community who are being treated unfairly.

We spoke with Nine News about Chase’s situation, and I’m pleased to hear that just a few hours later, the AFL paid Chase his belated birthday prize. Congratulations Chase, and well done!

Inspiring young South Australians to love our natural world is the message at the heart of 'Bilbs the Bilby', a book written by Trott Park local Lyn Betelli.

This weekend I had the privilege of speaking at the book launch, held at the Cove Civic Centre. Lyn's book is not only spreading the message about protecting the iconic Greater Bilby, sales of the book will also raise funds for Arid Recovery, one of South Australia's most enduring conservation programs.

I've bought copies of the book to donate to all the schools in my electorate and I look forward to dropping these off soon.

I’ve just returned from my 13th to the Limestone Coast region since becoming Leader of the Liberal Party. My many visits have all been about building up a real knowledge and understanding of this important part of South Australia and establishing enduring relationships so I can better serve its communities.

On this trip I met local councillors, farmers, lobster fishermen, business owners and doctors, as well as having the opportunity to speak to a regional forum of civil contractors being held in the Coonawarra.

As is usually the case, I was joined by Ben Hood MLC, the Liberal Party's voice for the Limestone Coast. Ben is a Mount Gambier local and Naracoorte born and bred and he's passed on his passion for the Mount Gambier Pioneers, Mount Gambier's NBL1 club which is kicking goals (shooting hoops?) this season! It was great to be able to wind up the trip by watching the mens team get a great win over the Knox Radars (visiting from Melbourne!)

The Medical Clinic Millicent
The Lobster Pot Beachport
Holla-Fresh: Fresh Herbs & Leafy Vegetables

It is special to see the new Flinders Chase National Park visitors centre come to life with its official opening today.

This new beginning for the island’s west end comes following the destruction of the previous centre in the 2020 bushfires.

Built as a gateway to the island’s western parks rather than embedded within the park, it provides access to Flinders Chase, Kelly Hill Caves Admiral’s Arch and Remarkable Rocks.

I’m proud to have been able to work alongside the community to commission this building. It will set the island and its natural environment up for success.

Labor is not only out of touch, they’re grabbing more money from the pockets of South Australians in a cost of living crisis. Peter Malinauskas should be writing us an apology.

🩺💵 From tomorrow, South Australians will pay more to see their general practitioner as Peter Malinauskas’ GP payroll tax grab starts to take effect.

Today, I stood shoulder to shoulder with GPs who are concerned this added cost will have catastrophic consequences for our health system.

We fear Labor’s tax grab will deter sick South Australians from seeing their GP, increase the pressure on our hospital system, and exacerbate the ramping crisis.

If Peter Malinauskas thinks increasing the cost for South Australians to visit a GP is how he’s going to fix ramping, then he is sorely mistaken. That’s why we’re calling on him to scrap this tax.

You can sign our petition to scrap the tax please via the link in the comments.

🍪🍪🍪 Our community is filled with fantastic little micro businesses run from kitchens and garages, front yards and backyards.

Yesterday I discovered Sheidow Park-based run by Naomi who describes herself as 'boy mum by day, baker by night'.

Naomi and I are old friends from our surf life saving days and she's as good at baking as she is at driving an inflatable rescue boat. Naomi recommends heating up her loaded cookies for a few seconds in the microwave, and boy were they good!

I had a great visit to Harpers Field last weekend where the Golden Grove 'Kookaburras' held their first home game with their newly constructed clubrooms.

The $14 million clubrooms project was made possible with $6 million allocated under the former Liberal Government and the tireless advocacy of former Member for King, Paula Luethen. Special thanks to Kate Grandey, President of the Golden Grove Football Club, for the tour of these top-notch facilities.

🥇 The adventure playground at Glenthorne National Park has won a top award at the regional 2024 AILA Landscape Architecture awards. The play space also won the People's Choice Award.

Congratulations to everyone who has helped shape and shape this fantastic destination. If you haven't been yet, it's worth checking out soon!

📷 Photo credit: Jackie (Zhuocheng) Gu
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects - AILA

This week I made a temporary change to the South Australian Shadow Cabinet. While Ashton Hurn (who covers the health portfolio) is on maternity leave, Jack Batty MP will step into Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Environment (a role I have held for the last couple of years). Meanwhile, I have taken on Ashton's health portfolio.

Jack's been assisting me in my duties as Shadow Environment Minister for the last year or so and he's done a great job. He's passionate about South Australia's parklands, our stunning national parks and our unique heritage buildings. He'll do a great job and bring fresh ideas, energy and momentum to my team. Thanks for stepping up Jack!