Rebekha Sharkie MP | Politician
Rebekha Sharkie MP
Phone: (08) 8398 5566
Reviews
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25.01.2022 Community events, art installations and walking tracks located in the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island will be brought to life thanks to $7750,000 in funding allocated to Mayo under the $10 million Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program. Besides the Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail, the Gastronomo and 'From the Heart' events on Authentic Kangaroo Island, other successful applicants include Bushland Park, the Amy Gillett Bikeway and the Flocking Together event in the Hills and Adelaide Hills Tourism's Crush, Sparkling Spring and Winter Reds events.
25.01.2022 Proud to support my colleague Zali Steggall MP and second her Private Member's Bill to Climate Act Now, a bipartisan approach to tackling climate change.
24.01.2022 COVID-19 restrictions caused some issues with our scheduled mobile electorate offices at Coromandel Valley, Blackwood, Clarendon & Cherry Gardens in the past few days but we had a good turnout this afternoon at Apex Park Hawthorndene. Next mobile electorate office will be in Strathalbyn in December, after Parliament finishes for the year.
21.01.2022 Just a reminder to everyone who has made appointments for my mobile electorate offices next week at Aldinga, Willunga & McLaren Vale. Aldinga and Willunga are completely booked out but there's a few appointments left at McLaren Vale. If you can't make your appointment, please let my office know by calling 8398 5566 so we can make the slots available to others.
21.01.2022 Another milestone in our recovery journey. The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail reopens for walkers today. #kangarooisland #bushfires #bushfirerecovery
20.01.2022 Tomorrow Federal Parliament is scheduled to debate a Bill introduced by my colleague Senator Stirling Griff that seeks greater financial transparency about how the aged care sector spends its money on people living in residential facilities. In order to keep the pressure on in the Parliament, I recently introduced a similar Private Member’s Bill. If Parliament is going to engage in sustainable reforms to the sector, we need to know where and how the money is being spent. It's the only way we can improve the experience and treatment of vulnerable elderly people living in residential aged care. This video is an excerpt from my speech on my Bill in the Parliament. You read my speech in full on my website here: https://www.rebekhasharkie.com.au/open_the_books My Bill has been referred to a parliamentary committee for review.
20.01.2022 Great news for SA and Mayo! The $200 million announced today for the Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade includes $15 million secured by Centre Alliance. I believe the Verdun interchange needs to be part of that upgrade and I will talking to the State Government about that. A two-way interchange is what our community expects to ease congestion not only at Hahndorf but right along Onkaparinga Valley Road! Meanwhile, thumbs up also to the announcement of $136 million for Stage 2 of the Main South Road Duplication between Aldinga and Sellicks Beach!
20.01.2022 There's only about one per cent of stringybark habitat left in the Hills so every little bit that remains is precious. Yesterday I headed to Engelbrook Reserve in Bridgewater to see the work of local volunteers. The National Trust of South Australia recently received $17,374 from Mayo's share of the Communities Environment Program to continue their revegetation work.
19.01.2022 This weekend I am busy packing and preparing for the final sitting fortnight of the 2020 Parliamentary Year. I thought I would share a behind the scenes glimpse of something special at Parliament House from my last trip to Canberra. In one of the courtyards is a sculpture by the Hills' own Silvio Apponyi. It's called Painted Dragon (1999). It was such a thrill when I first spotted it. The courtyards can be a cool retreat when the House becomes too heated in the Chamber, and it's always nice to get some fresh air during a long day. I hope everyone is recovering from the weekend's fierce blast of summer.
19.01.2022 Today is Remembrance Day. This year I will be remembering our fallen, and our serving men and women, in Canberra. Did you know that Parliament House and Old Parliament House were designed to look down Anzac Parade towards the Australian War Memorial? It truly is a special view. If you’re looking to attend an 11am service, please check your local RSL webpage. My team at home will be attending a number of services across Mayo today to represent our office.
19.01.2022 Emergency Warning for Cherry Gardens Fire heading towards Scott Creek. Please keep safe.
19.01.2022 Centre Alliance will not support the Continuation of Cashless Welfare Bill. We do not believe people in the Northern Territory or North Queensland have had their concerns heard and so we believe people in those regions should be able to choose to remain on the Basics Card. Further, the Government has not yet provided the evidence that the card is conclusively working, and so we cannot support its permanency or expansion. We would be prepared to support a continuation of the trials. You can watch my speech in Parliament full here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZCP8o22fPs&t=31s
19.01.2022 Congratulations to Fleurieu FM for winning two South Australian Community Broadcasters Association - SACBA Bilby Awards- Ryder Grooby for Best Youth Contribution and Maria Prus-Grzybowski & Jim Bickers for producing the Best Sponsorship Message with their advert for Mrs Cluck's Chickens. Congratulations as well to Allan Purcell from the same station for being named runner-up Volunteer of the Year. Radio Adelaide also won a few awards. Full list at https://www.sacba.org.au/bilbyawards/bilby-awards-2020/
18.01.2022 Earlier this week there were some media reports on ABC chairwoman Ita Buttrose's address to the Ramsay Centre where she defended our public broadcaster as being essential to democracy. I agree, and I had the opportunity to speak up for the ABC and SBS in the previous sitting of Parliament during debate on spectrum-reform legislation. Our public broadcasters should be identified as priority non-commercial users of our spectrum, and they should be adequately resourced to do their public broadcasting roles. You can read my speech in full here: https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au//display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22cha
18.01.2022 It was a privilege to attend the official opening of the Business Alexandrina Hub at Goolwa this week. This is an example of community-led resilience. Using drought recovery funds and the building vacated by the ANZ bank when it closed its Goolwa branch, Alexandrina Council is helping locals build business locally. There should more of this - and less bank closures in regional Australia. Really disappointed to learn yesterday that the ANZ is closing its branch at Stirling in mid November.
17.01.2022 Applications for the Adelaide Hills Council's community grants program close on 30 September 2020. Grants up to $40,000 are available for community groups, sporting clubs, and other not-for-profits. Details on the link below.
17.01.2022 Round 5 of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) is now open and I'm hosting drop-in sessions in Mount Barker and Victor Harbor for community groups seeking advice or direction with their grant applications. Members of my team along with Stephen Shotton from Regional Development Australia Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island will be available to discuss any issue you might have putting together your application. The drop-in session at Mount Barker is being held at the Electorate Office, Shop 1/72 Gawler Street, Mount Barker, on Thursday, February 11, 11am to 2pm. The drop-in session at Victor Harbor is being held at the satellite Electorate Office, 26 Hindmarsh Road, McCracken, on Friday, February 12, 1pm to 4pm. For more information head to my website at https://www.rebekhasharkie.com.au/bbrf_info
16.01.2022 The truth will set you free - but not in Australia, not when it comes to the case of Major David McBride who has been charged with numerous Commonwealth offences for his whistleblowing on command failings and unlawful killings in Afghanistan. Today I joined Andrew Wilkie MP - Independent Member for Clark to put a motion to the Parliament to call on the Government to drop all charges against Mr McBride. Again, the Crossbench stood alone in support of this motion.
16.01.2022 In the lead up to the annual #DogsInPoliticsDay on September 23 I have been asked to share a story about a dog in my life to celebrate our canine companions and the joy they bring to our lives. This is Oakley, our office dog. He is a geriatric Moodle who came in to see us occasionally as a "special treat". Then along came COVID-19. Somehow Oakley has become a regular fixture. My team is convinced he's only in it for the naps, pats and snacks, especially the dog treats in someone's desk drawer. But we love him, and he's certainly a smaller and slower edition to the office than my beautiful Great Dane Lulu. #KeepAusPetFriendly
16.01.2022 The City of Onkaparinga is inviting local residents to have their day on the draft Aldinga Sports Park Master Plan. This plan sets out the long-term vision for sport and recreation facilities in what is a rapidly growing area. The deadline for feedback is Friday 11 December. Details on the link below. Late last year Centre Alliance secured $2.26 million towards the much-needed redevelopment of the Aldinga Sports Complex. You can read about our advocacy here: https://www.rebekhasharkie.com.au/aldinga_sports_complex
16.01.2022 China is a major export market for our winemakers, our commercial fishers, wheat growers and our local horticulturalists. Today I spoke about the escalating uncertainty about the China market and I called on Government to support our primary producers to diversify their export markets, including additional international freight assistance flights.
15.01.2022 There are many inspiring women in Mayo! If you know someone who needs some recognition, why not consider nominating them? Nominations close 1 November 2020.
14.01.2022 Last time I bought eggs from Hens in the Meadow (near Meadows) I just put the money in the fridge. Now they've upgraded to a vending machine, and you can use your credit card. They have a range of egg sizes too, including a whopping 900g cartoon. These eggs are so big they're very 'tight' in my fridge egg rack. I recommend a visit to Hens in the Meadow on Brookman Road.
13.01.2022 Some good news this morning if you're one of the 450 households on the outskirts of Mylor, South Australia in NBN limbo. NBN Co is lodging plans to build a wireless tower south east of the town on SA Water land. It took a bit of advocating to get NBN Co to look for another site after site negotiations fell through late last year. I know that they have spent several months trying, without success until now, to find a suitable location. The tower has to go through the council planning process ... so it's up to the people of Mylor now. In the meantime, residents can sign up to NBN Sky Muster satellite, and switch over to NBN wireless at no extra cost if the tower goes ahead. More details on my press release. Please note that details about the tower council application might not be available for public consultation just yet.
12.01.2022 Standing with the Crossbench, the Opposition, former judges, the Australian Federal Police Association, academic and civil liberty groups to stand up for a Commonwealth Integrity Commission with real teeth. The same scrutiny that applies to Australians should apply to Federal politicians. The Government’s draft legislation for a Federal ICAC doesn’t make the grade.
10.01.2022 This coming Thursday, December 3, is International Day of People with Disability - Australia. Tomorrow at 1.30pm AEDT ABC TV + iview is hosting 'Re-Frame', a showcase of films made by people with a disability. Re-Frame and a short-film collection will also be available on iView.
10.01.2022 Schoolies Festival has been cancelled. Chief Executive Officer Victoria MacKirdy and I have spent many hours working alongside SA Health and, SA Police discussi...ng how a major event such as Schoolies can be undertaken at this time. Our primary aim throughout all of these conversations has been the safety of the Victor Harbor Community, and we have fed back all of your concerns and issues raised with us, back to SAPOL and SA Health. I am happy to now be able inform you that There will not be a Schoolies Festival this year in Victor Harbor. This decision is based on the fact that there is no capacity to manage large crowds in a COVID safe way. We are asking school leavers not to come to Victor Harbor for any Schoolies events, and there will be a dry zone imposed all over Victor Harbor during this time. Most young people I have spoken to are responsible and while disappointed, agree with this decision. Our main priority is the wellbeing and health of the Victor Harbor community, many who are older and who are in an ‘at risk category’.
10.01.2022 There is a serious uncontrolled fire in the Cherry Gardens area burning towards Scott Creek Conservation Park and a further fire at Clarendon. More info available on the link below. Please take care everyone and thank you again to our volunteers at SA Country Fire Service. https://data.eso.sa.gov.au///criimson/1402280.0005330.html
09.01.2022 Now more than ever, amid a pandemic, we need consumer protections, so I find it quite staggering that a Senate committee has rejected payday lending reform legislation. Yes, the legislation was co-sponsored by Centre Alliance and Labor but the bill was a mirror image of the Coalition Government's own legislation, drafted in 2017 and based on the recommendations of their own review in 2016 into consumer credit contracts and leases. COVID-19 has created enormous financial stress for many in our community and desperate people need protection from loan sharks. Once again I call on the Government to stop listening to vested interests and pass their OWN legislation on payday lending reforms. You can read more about the bill and the senate committee report in my press release.
08.01.2022 Livestock SA is inviting sheep and cattle industry researchers and farming groups to apply for small project funding up to $10,000. Projects have to be delivered within the 2020-21 financial year and all project concepts must benefit the SA sheep and cattle industries and align with the Sheep and Cattle Industry Fund investment priorities. Applications are due by COB Monday 30 November 2020 and may be posted to the Livestock SA office or emailed to [email protected]. For more information visit the Livestock SA website. For sheep: livestocksa.org.au/sif-apply-for-funding/. For cattle: livestocksa.org.au/cif-apply-for-funding/
08.01.2022 Today was so cold my team and I decided to warm ourselves with some home cooking from #LilitsHamovKitchen in Mount Barker. Lilit learned to cook from her grandmother and she makes food from 'all over the world' but with special Armenian and Middle Eastern dishes. I ordered the Vegetable Casserole with Cheddar Dumplings. #delicious! Lilit and Jon's home business is open Thursday and Fridays at 32 Fletcher Road and for many years they have had a stall at the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market. Orders welcome. Call 0435 482 362.
07.01.2022 Sadly COVID-19 has prevented many schools across Mayo from heading to Canberra this year so I am doing my best to visit as many schools as I can to conduct civics lessons. Recently I headed to Oakbank Area School to talk to the Year 6/7 class. They were a clever bunch of budding politicians.
07.01.2022 If you're passing through McLaren Vale, South Australia and have some time, I do recommend dropping into Fleurieu Arthouse. I went to the opening of this art gallery/artisan studio/shop just recently and popped in last week to see Anna while hosting a mobile electorate office in town. This place showcases the work of local artisans at a reasonable cost - for the artist and the customer. With Christmas not far away, I do believe I will be back soon.
07.01.2022 Today I headed to Woodside and caught up with Tom from Melba's Chocolates, a business that is doing an amazing job to get back on its feet after the bushfire and then COVID-19. If you’re looking for a something to do with the kids during the holidays, head over for a look. I’m a big fan of the chocolate on tap. #ilovechocolate
06.01.2022 After years of advocacy, Centre Alliance has secured $12 million in the Federal Budget to upgrade the notoriously dangerous Victor Harbor Road. The money will be used to build more overtaking lanes, over and above the lane promised last year by the State Government between Urimbirra Wildlife Park and the intersection of Crows Nest Road. The money is part of a $625 million investment into transport infrastructure announced yesterday by the Government ahead of today's budget. I'm in Canberra but I filmed this clip a while ago. You can read more on my website at: https://www.rebekhasharkie.com.au/victor_harbor_road
05.01.2022 Sometimes you visit a place that is so clever and innovative you just feel inspired about climate action. Last week I did a tour of the Southern Region Waste Resource Authority, a regional subsidiary established by the City of Onkaparinga, Marion Council and City of Holdfast Bay. Mark and Chris showed me these state-of-the-art gas generators that use the methane from landfill to generate enough electricity to power up to 3,000 households a year! They are also trialling stage 1 of a solar farm. The 600KW system is expected to power 600 homes. It was a privilege to advocate for Federal funding on behalf of #srwra.
05.01.2022 South Australia produces half of our nation's wine products and 80 per cent of our export wine. China is Australia’s largest wine export market with wine exports to China having grown from $330 million in 2014, to $1.2 billion in 2019. The recent spectacular collapse of the China wine market with the imposition of significant "tariffs" is devastating. Today I asked the Agriculture Minister what he plans to do. He told the Parliament that the Govt is appealing the "tariff", accelerating support for emerging markets and meeting with major stakeholders to find other solutions, within the guidelines of Australia being a 'fair trade nation'.
05.01.2022 That’s a wrap for our Aldinga constituent meetings at the Aldinga Library. Tomorrow I’m at Willunga and we still have a few spots at McLaren Vale on Thursday. If you’d like to book in a chat call 83985566 to make a time.
04.01.2022 Happy Men's Shed Week 2020! Today I went to the Victor Harbor Men's Shed - VHMS to celebrate the occasion with cake. Mayo has nearly a dozen men’s sheds and community sheds including sheds at Victor Harbor, Aldgate, Mount Barker, Yankalilla, Mount Pleasant, Kingscote, Aldinga, Kersbrook, Strathalbyn and Uraidla. The Australian Men’s Shed Association was established in 2007. Now there are 1,127 Men’s Women’s and Community Sheds registered. Almost 1,000 of the registered sheds... are men’s sheds making the association one of Australia’s largest male-based community development organisations. And some good news for the shed community. New laws are now in place that will give men’s sheds DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status. Individual sheds need to apply but once they are granted DGR status they can receive tax-deductible donations from individuals and businesses. This will contribute to the practical running of the sheds and build on the fantastic work of members.
04.01.2022 I'm looking for a young artist from Mayo to design my Christmas cards for 2020. If you know a preschooler or a primary school student AGED 10 & UNDER who lives in the electorate of Mayo, why not invite them to draw a Christmas-themed picture and submit their entry in my Christmas Card Competition 2020. Entries close Friday, October 30. More information on my website at https://www.rebekhasharkie.com.au/christmas_card2020
03.01.2022 Today marks the entry-into-force of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This is the first treaty to comprehensively ban nuclear weapons and provide a pathway for nations to outlaw and eliminate nuclear weapons. It is a crucial piece of international law that puts nuclear weapons in the same category as biological weapons. To date Australia has not signed the Treaty. However, as a signatory of the Parliamentary Pledge in support of the Treaty of the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons I am hopeful that the further stigmatisation of nuclear weapons will ensure that it is only a matter of time until we join the treaty and as a nation stand on the right side of history.
02.01.2022 Just winding up a full day of meetings at my mobile electorate office at the Meeting Place McLaren Vale. A highlight was catching up with the lovely Cheryl and Marg from the Ladies Probus Club of the Fleurieu where I presented some Happy Probus Day flowers. Next week on the UN Day of Older Persons, October 1, Probus South Pacific celebrates its inaugural Probus Day, marking more than 40 years of the Probus movement in Australia. Probus is a not-for-profit organisation for the retired and semi-retired members of our community. There are a number of Probus clubs in the south and in the Hills and over in Strathalbyn. You can find out more on this link https://www.probussouthpacific.org/directories/lookup
02.01.2022 It’s been a busy day on the South Coast attending a coastal adaptation workshop and then a roundtable with stakeholders to discuss what a water research institute for the Lower Lakes and Coorong might look like. Thanks Glenn & Monika for your insights. #climateadaptation #alexandrinacouncil #goolwa #lowerlakes #coorong #murraydarlingbasin
01.01.2022 Total fire ban today. The fire danger conditions in the Mt Lofty Ranges have been classified as 'extreme'. Please, if you haven't already done so, put your Bushfire Plan into action. If you don't have a plan to ensure your survival, leaving early before a fire starts is your safest option.
01.01.2022 Just a heads up about an event offering business support to Adelaide Hills enterprises recovering from bushfire and/or COVID-19. Called Rethinking Business 2020, the full-day event is being held on Tuesday October 13 at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre in Hahndorf. There will be a range of guest presenters. The event is being hosted by the Adelaide Hills Business Support Network with assistance from Rural Business Support, DIS, Business SA Adelaide Hills Council, Mount Barker District Council and Regional Development Australia Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island. To register head to: https://sagovau.eventsair.com/rethinking-busines//Register
01.01.2022 Spotted a great idea on social media this week. A local lady Donna, from Callington, South Australia, Australia, has been making homemade masks to raise funds for Safe Pets Safe Families - Keeping people & pets together. So, out and about on my travels, I dropped into the The General at Cally to say 'hi' to Mark, pick up some refreshments and purchase a few masks before I head to Canberra for the last sitting fortnight of Federal Parliament for 2020.
