Mark Parnell MLC | Politician

Mark Parnell MLC

Phone: +61 8 8237 9111

Address: Parliament House, North Tce 5000 Adelaide, SA, Australia

Website: http://www.markparnell.org.au

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25.01.2022 The race between Liberal and Labor to outdo each other on who is toughest on crime reached a new low yesterday. The Libs introduced a Bill at 9pm and wanted it debated and voted on the next day, with no opportunity for MPs to consult any stakeholders. Labor criticised the Liberals for not being fast enough and the Liberals criticised the Greens for wanting time to properly analyse the Bill and consult with legal and Aboriginal groups. As I told ABC radio and several TV journos, I make no apology for doing my job listening to and representing the community, even if that means a law that has operated quite well (according to the police and lawyers) for nearly a decade will take a few more days to amend.

25.01.2022 This is a campaign you should get behind. It's not about being soft on crime - it's about being smarter, paying attention to the evidence and coming up with alternatives to incarceration that are ultimately safer for communities. The list of Patrons is the most impressive line-up of legal, Indigenous and political leaders I have ever seen. https://www.facebook.com/JailingisFailing

23.01.2022 I'll be reintroducing the Greens' Renting with Pets Bill next week in State Parliament. Show your support by signing the petition https://www.markparnell.org.au/rent_with_pets

23.01.2022 LIVE from SA Parliament House: The monarchists are having a field day with EVERY MP from EVERY other Party voting to continue debating bringing back QCs to the SA Legal profession. Why is it only the Greens who are prepared to peek out from under Queen Victoria's skirts? It was a cringe-worthy move when other States did it 6 years ago as per this old Guardian article and it is just as cringe-worthy in Adelaide today. https://www.theguardian.com//counsel-to-whom-australian-ba

22.01.2022 It's time! After 15 years I've decided to retire from State Parliament. I have mixed emotions, but my replacement, Robert Simms, will be a fantastic MP and along with Tammy Franks Greens MLC, they will continue to promote the Greens' vision of a fairer, greener and more sustainable South Australia as well as holding the Government to account. I'll be making a final speech tomorrow (Wed) around 4pm, so if you'd like to watch, here is the streaming link: https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au//About-Par/Live-Broadcast

22.01.2022 UPDATE: The vote in favour of removing abortion from the criminal code was just passed 13:8. The final stages of debate and the detailed consideration of clauses will be in a couple of weeks. ORIGINAL POST: The Upper House of State Parliament today is voting on whether or not abortion should remain in the criminal code or whether it is entirely a matter between a woman and her health professionals. No prizes for guessing how I'll be voting. This won't be the final vote, but it will give a good indication of where the numbers lie. Thanks to the South Australian Law Reform Institute for comprehensively making the case for decriminalisation and to my colleague Tammy Franks Greens MLC for championing this cause over many years.

22.01.2022 I suspect that the folk who complained so loudly about the now-axed East-West bikeway in the city are the same types who predicted that Armageddon would result if part of Rundle Street was turned into a pedestrian mall back in 1972. Apparently, the right to park a car directly in front of every shop and business is more important than safety for vulnerable road users or promoting pollution-free travel.

21.01.2022 People who rent shouldn't have to choose between their beloved pets and having a place to live. So, today the Greens are again introducing legislation to make it easier for people to rent with their pets. It's also national Dogs in Politics day today, so a very fitting day to champion this issue.

20.01.2022 UPDATE: The organisers of the Port Lincoln Tuna Toss have been in touch with me and confirmed that the transition from using real tuna to fake tuna was completed in 2018 and since then, only fake tuna have been used in both the heats and finals of the Tuna Toss. I was very pleased to hear this. It's a good move. So that the commentary below still makes sense, and to put this discussion in context, my original post was as follows: Is it just me or is there something a little obscene about the tuna toss? Southern bluefin tuna is a critically endangered species globally and regardless of whether or not you think eating them is a good thing, the idea of tossing them around the paddock for a bit of a laugh doesn’t sit that comfortably with me.

20.01.2022 I’m with Tammy Franks Greens MLC and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young at the raising of the flag at Adelaide Town Hall today to celebrate a month of Feast Festival which kicks off this weekend. Download the program at feast.org.au It should be a lot of fun!

19.01.2022 Senator Janet Rice mentions "needless horse deaths", which is exactly how this year's Melbourne Cup ended. https://www.abc.net.au//melbourne-cup-horse-antho/12844152

17.01.2022 If it works on goats and pigs, it would certainly work on a US President. Then, we could all have Donald Trump's babies! On a more serious note, Australian Ministers agreed some time ago that this new technology did not need to be regulated, so who knows what they'll come up with.

17.01.2022 A simple video with a powerful message. Please share.

15.01.2022 As a young law student, I got second-class honours for the subject "Intellectual Property". Fast forward a few decades and for the life of me, I cannot understand how the law allows a non-Aboriginal corporation with a dodgy past the right to sue non-profit Aboriginal groups for daring to use the Aboriginal flag. No wonder the #FreeTheFlag campaign is gaining momentum.

13.01.2022 There's one in every crowd! Here's how Qld Energy Minister Anthony Lynham tells it: Every minister in all states, if you’re a Liberal, Labor or Greens, they all identify that our future is renewable energy ... There’s no doubt the only body that doesn’t identify with that is the federal government. I don’t think you would see more unison between political parties and states than being together on renewable energy. But ... the federal government just simply doesn’t get it. I don’t know why they don’t get it. Well, here's one reason: Follow the money!!

13.01.2022 Do you rent in SA or have friends or family who rent? Join my online discussion next Monday evening where we will be exploring the many issues faced by people who rent in SA, and what we can do to change the law to give renters a fair go. All are welcome but numbers are limited so register now https://www.markparnell.org.au/webinar_fair_go_for_renters

12.01.2022 It’s a very early start this morning to recognise those who support the families of ex-service personnel who have died. There are many casualties of war, many hidden.

12.01.2022 I don't often frequent yoga studios and didn't even know what the "tree pose" was, but when there's an offer on the table to plant a tree for each photo uploaded, then count me in! Thanks to Nature Festival for launching a week of great events with Erin Fowler's Tree Pose For The Planet. Thanks too to Trees For Life (SA) for donating the trees. You can find out more here: https://www.thegaiamovement.com/ #treeposefortheplanet

12.01.2022 The Dalai Lama says that if he joined a political party now, I would like to join the Green party. Their idea is very good. I've popped a membership form in the post to him.

11.01.2022 On October 7, I will be hosting an online conversation about the future of jobs and industry in SA with Professor John Spoehr and Professor Barbara Pocock. Attendance is free and everyone is welcome but numbers are limited, so secure your spot early and RSVP at https://www.markparnell.org.au/webinar_future_jobs_industry

11.01.2022 Greener spaces make for better urban places. Better for people, better for our climate, and better for biodiversity. While other Australian capital cities have adopted an Urban Forest Strategy to create healthy and diverse urban forests, in metropolitan Adelaide we're seeing a loss of urban trees along with an increase in hard surfaces. This trend is unsustainable and needs to be reversed. This week in State Parliament I introduced a motion calling on the Government to devel...op a comprehensive urban forest plan, with the aim of increasing the average tree canopy to 30 per cent by 2045. Adopting an urban forest approach means moving away from the traditional tree management approach, which is centred on individual trees, and instead focusing on overall forest management. There is a long list of good reasons to do this. See my speech for details https://www.markparnell.org.au/20201111_1 See more

11.01.2022 The McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association have been leading the push for their council area to remain GM-free. The Association represents all 460 grape growers, 180 wine producers and dozens of tourism operators within the McLaren Vale wine region. Their General Manager said "There is an absolute threat to multi-million-dollar export contracts for our wine producers if they lose organic or biodynamic certification as a result of GM crops being grown here. The question is, will the Minister listen to what Councils and industry want in their local area, or will he ignore them?

10.01.2022 Not long after the Premier's announcement yesterday, Parliament House was like a ghost town. They shut down Budget Estimates hearings and now like everyone else, we're all now hunkered down in our homes. We're still working though and back into the dreaded Zoom meetings. BTW, I never quite got into the baking "thing" last lock-down, so given we didn't have any bread at home and I'm not going anywhere near the shops until people calm down a bit, I decided to give bread-making a whirl. Here's my first effort. Stay safe everyone.

10.01.2022 Danielle, the RSPCA's Animal Operation Manager at the Lonsdale Shelter, tells us what it's like when someone has to surrender their beloved pet to the RSPCA, just because they can't find a pet-friendly rental home. It's a highly stressful situation for everyone involved - the family, their pet and also the RSPCA staff. This doesn't have to be the case. It's time to fix the law and #MakePetsWelcome.

10.01.2022 This morning, I joined plumbers, builders, electricians and contractors calling for the Marshall Liberal Government to abandon its plans to privatise the maintenance of hospitals, schools and other public buildings and assets. These contractors face the very real and scary prospect that the work they rely on to keep their small businesses afloat could disappear entirely. That means less jobs, small businesses shutting up shop, and all while our State is grappling with the economic fallout from COVID-19. Not happy, Premier!

10.01.2022 Hot off the press - the South Australian State Budget. Here’s my first impressions. The govt will spend 60 times the environment budget on a 10km section of road. There’s also a new tax on electric cars

09.01.2022 When Liberal and Labor did a deal earlier this year to allow Genetically-Modified crops to be grown in SA, they told local councils that they would be able to apply to remain GM-free, if that's what their local food industries and communities wanted. Eleven Councils applied. Now, we see it was all a cruel hoax, with every local council application rejected. The wine industry and the organic food industry are rightly outraged and will no doubt be calling on the Premier to intervene. I agree.

08.01.2022 My Friday dilemma is how to get some flowers home on the bike. Solution: old rubber band used to bundle Auditor General reports. Thanks Emily for the lovely daphne! They smell a lot nicer than government finances.

08.01.2022 I was pleased to support SA Nurses Supporting Choices in Dying on the steps of Parliament House today. They support all of the choices people wish to make for their death and dying including palliative care and medical interventions. Today they were showing support for voluntary assisted dying.

08.01.2022 Congratulations to Onkaparinga Council for moving to protect their growers from the impacts of genetically-modified crops. McLaren Vale has more organic wine growers than any other wine region in Australia. Whilst there are no currently approved GM grape varieties allowed, the Council is looking to the future and realised that the future is "clean, green and natural", so they want to protect their reputation against future threats. I've urged the new Minister for Primary Industries to allow local democracy to prevail and to agree to their request. We should have an answer in November.

08.01.2022 Fences are good at keeping stock contained, but they are expensive, inflexible and also provide a barrier to wildlife. They are death traps in bushfires. I suppose it was only a matter of time before science fiction became reality, with virtual fencing now on the market for cattle. According to the manufacturer: "Animals are given an audio warning if they approach the perimeter and feel an electric pulse if they continue one far lower than contacting an electric fence." What do you think? https://www.csiro.au//R/AF/Areas/Livestock/Virtual-fencing

07.01.2022 There will always be a need for some jails but there is now a growing consensus that most of the people in jail shouldn't be there and that we can provide alternatives to incarceration that both keep communities safe and reduce offending behaviour and recidivism. Before you scoff, check out the list of credible voices behind the Justice Reform Initiative. This is a very different model to the usual "tough on crime" law and order auction that dominates the public debate.

06.01.2022 Should a school be able to discriminate on the grounds of a person's sex or LGBTIQ status? According to a new Government proposal, such discrimination will be outlawed for students, but certain religious schools will still be able to discriminate in employing staff. The proposed new laws also cover other essential services such as housing and aged care. You can now have your say BEFORE these laws hit Parliament.

05.01.2022 Congratulations to Barbara Pocock who has been pre-selected by Greens SA Members to be our No.1 Senate candidate at the Federal election in 2021 or 2022. I've known Barb for over 25 years and know she will be an absolutely fantastic Senator! Following the announcement today, Barb said: Our planet faces the twin challenges of catastrophic climate change and rising inequality these are the issues that drive me to run for the Senate. They are what I will be fighting for in the next election. For me, it’s all about our planet, our people, and justice.

05.01.2022 With a 13% increase in the number of pets surrendered to the RSPCA since last year just because their families couldn't secure a pet-friendly rental property, it's time to fix the law and #MakePetsWelcome. The Greens' Renting with Pets Bill will be debated and voted on in the Upper House of State Parliament on 25 November. Please email the Attorney-General Vickie Champan MP at [email protected] and ask her to support this important law reform.

03.01.2022 I agree with David Washington of InDaily: "We like to present ourselves as a civilised, green-friendly outpost, but the facts increasingly point to Adelaide being one of the most backward cities for transport in Australia."

02.01.2022 As the world faces a biodiversity crisis with species going extinct at an alarming rate, Australia is again on the outer, refusing to agree to international efforts to reverse this dangerous trajectory. It's not just embarrassing, it's immoral and shameful.

01.01.2022 As school kids marched for action on climate change around Australia today, it appears the NSW Parliament is now completely underwater! Congratulations to the organisers of the Adelaide rally and March. You did a great job.