My Plan for Finniss
These priorities have been developed through many years of connecting with and listening to you, the community. As an independent, I'm not here to push party lines. I'm here to take your priorities to the major parties and fight for the stronger, more compassionate representation our electorate deserves.
Hospital & Healthcare
We are the oldest electorate in the state, with a growing population.
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As a healthcare professional with relationships across our hospital and health services, I understand the depth and detail of the challenges we’re facing.
These issues aren’t just talking points to me, they’re lived, every day realities of our community.
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Since 2022 I have been a community representative on our local Health Advisory Council and have met with the Minister for Health and Wellbeing multiple times to advocate for our local hospital infrastructure and health services.
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I will work tirelessly to ensure further investment in our ageing hospital, to close critical service gaps, and will continue to call for investment in our local health services and infrastructure.
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My Commitments
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Advocate for a wholesale redevelopment of Victor Harbor Hospital
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Immediate upgrades to the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD)
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Dedicated inpatient hospice beds
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Improve Geriatrician services for dementia care
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Improve mental health services
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Strengthen access to GP’s and primary care
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Advocate for improved access to aged care packages and residential places
Patient Assistant Transport Scheme (PATS)
Many residents of the Southern Fleurieu travel to Adelaide regularly for essential medical care they are unable to access locally.
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This includes people undergoing vital, ongoing treatment such as dialysis, oncology care and other specialist appointments.
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On top of managing complex illness, they are burdened with the full cost of this travel. This is because our area does not meet the current 100km eligibility threshold for attending medical appointments in the city, under the Patient Assisted Transport Scheme (PATS).
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Meanwhile, the threshold for country based MPs in our parliament to claim travel and accommodation subsidies is just 75km, when travelling to Adelaide.
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This is unacceptable.
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I raised this issue on behalf of our residents directly with the Minister for Health and Wellbeing in 2025, and publicly at the South Australian Government Country Cabinet in October 2024.
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Whilst the Minister has recently announced that PATS has been extended to include the Southern Fleurieu area, welcomed by COTA SA and Cancer Council SA, there is still a 300km per week travel threshold to qualify for any financial assistance.
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This threshold is far too high and would still exclude many of our locals travelling regularly for essential medical care. ​
My Commitment
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I will continue to fight for an expansion of PATS to be delivered post-election, so that residents of Finniss who travel beyond our electorate for essential medical care, get the financial support they need
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Fight for the 300km per week threshold to be significantly reduced so the policy genuinely delivers practical support for all individuals and families in our electorate of Finniss
Public transport
Public transport is for everyone.
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But it is especially vital for older people, young people, residents living with disability, and those experiencing disadvantage.
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For anyone without a car or the capacity to drive, public transport means independence, wellbeing, and meaningful participation in community life.
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Across Finniss, our public transport system is underfunded, infrequent, and poorly connected.
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South Australia has the second‑lowest per‑capita spend on regional public transport in the nation. This gap has real consequences: limited services, long waits, under‑utilisation, and entire townships without reliable options.
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A well‑designed public transport network is essential. It ensures access to services for those who don’t drive, supports social connection, strengthens economic activity, can reduce cost‑of‑living pressures, cuts emissions, and improves road safety.
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It also provides reassurance as people approach the end of their driving years - something especially important for our older population.
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Drawing on conversations with our communities and informed by the advocacy of the Southern & Hills LGA and Regional Development Australia, I'm calling on State Government to address the deep funding divide between metro and regional communities and invest in public transport that meets our local needs.
My Commitments
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I will fight for a significant increase in regional ublic transport investment and a modern, connected network that supports independence, participation, access to services and economic opportunity across Finniss.
This includes:
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High‑frequency express services between Victor Harbor and Adelaide, supported by a new Victor Harbor Park ’n’ Ride
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A contemporary Dial‑A‑sRide service, expanded to include residents of Goolwa and surrounding areas. Current services end at Port Elliot, excluding significant parts of our population
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Further investment in stronger connections between our regional townships, ensuring no community is left behind
Growth & Infrastructure
Premier Peter Malinauskus stated at the Encounter Bay Country Cabinet in 2024, "growth brings growing pains". Well-planned growth should not.
Our region is already under pressure from significant housing and population growth. This is a major concern shared with me across our communities.
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​With Victor Harbor and Goolwa identified as growth areas in the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan 2025, it is essential that state infrastructure investment keeps pace with housing developments.
I will fight for investment in our roads and essential services before pushing ahead with more development, that puts pressure on already stretched local infrastructure.​
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My commitments are informed by your voices in the community, together with AHFKI Regional Development Australia Regional Priorities, Southern & Hills LGA State Election Policies, Alexandrina Council's State Election Advocacy Priorities and the RAA 2024 Risky Roads Report.
My Commitments
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Advocate for a dedicated Community-Ready Growth Fund for Local Government to accelerate the delivery of essential infrastructure, including water, wastewater, stormwater, transport links, open space and community facilities
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Seek a $5M contribution from State Government to deliver Victor Harbor's Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct
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Fight to deliver funding and a delivery timetable for the South Coast Freight Corridor, to separate heavy freight from tourism and commuter traffic across the Fleurieu, with prioritisation of the Middleton Bypass
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​Fight to deliver staged upgrades to the Victor Harbor Road and Goolwa Road, including overtaking lanes, road widening, shoulder seals and upgrades to the Nangkita Road and Goolwa Road intersections
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Explore the feasibility of a Character Preservation District for the Fleurieu Peninsula, legislated within a specific Act, such as the Character Preservation (Barossa Valley) Act 2012 and the Character Preservation (McLaren Vale) Act 2012, to create a legally protected zone designed to preserve the unique rural, agricultural, environmental, and cultural character of our region​
Environment
Healthy communities rely on a healthy environment. ​
Climate change is causing natural disasters to be more frequent, more severe and more costly.
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We have already been shown to be ill-prepared for such events, as the ongoing algal bloom event, that started on our coastline, has seriously exposed.
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South Australia’s toxic coastal algal bloom has been described by the recent Senate Inquiry tabled in November 2025, as one of “the worst climate‑induced ecological disasters in our nation’s history.”
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The 207‑page report made 14 recommendations, highlighting that governments were “ill‑prepared and asleep at the wheel.”
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The South Australian Joint Committee on Harmful Algal Blooms in South Australia is also undertaking an inquiry into algal blooms in South Australia, with a November 2025 interim report available, and full report due in early 2026.
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The Murray Darling Basin Plan Review, which has now commenced, is a crucial step in securing a healthy future of the river system.
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The river system is widely accepted to be implicitly linked to the algal bloom crisis, as valuably explained in the Discussion Paper No. 3 by River Lakes Coorong Action Group (RLCAG). This must be considered in the Basin Plan review.
The review is also important for our critically endangered local environment, economic outcomes, community health and wellbeing. The Coorong Lower Lakes Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre has established a vital role locally, and must have ongoing funding secured.
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Other essential considerations are coastal inundation as sea levels rise, biodiversity and more sustainable, productive and resilient food systems. Ongoing planning and development must also have environmental sustainability and health at its heart.
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Our environment is our life. We must plan for and adapt to the changing nature of climate risk now, to ensure a future that is bright for generations to come. ​​​
My Commitments
Support the implementation of the recommendations of the Senate Inquiry into Algal Blooms in SA, including:
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Ongoing funding for the Office for Algal Bloom Research in South Australia
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Substantial funding to be directed to meaningful reef restoration along the South Australian coastline
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Establishment of the Southern Ocean Discovery Centre, a world-class marine education, research, and tourism hub in South Australia
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Evaluation of current investment towards community resilience programs and mental health support services in South Australia, and exploration of continued or further investment as required for communities impacted by the toxic algal bloom
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Ongoing timely, clear and scientifically informed public health advice from state Government
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Long-term resilience and recovery programs for marine-related industries and sectors affected by the harmful algal bloom, including a voluntary lease or buyback scheme for fishing licences, to provide individuals and businesses the opportunity to remain in or exit the industry
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Conducting research and monitoring of fish stocks during and following fishing restrictions, to guide the recovery of local ecosystems and fish stocks
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First Nation leadership and cultural knowledge in all aspects of recovery and management
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Actively respond to the outcomes and recommendations of the South Australian Joint Committee on Harmful Algal Blooms in South Australia final report, when tabled (early 2026)
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Support local participation by our communities in the Murray Darling Basin Review and actively respond to outcomes and recommendations of the review when published​​
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Support the CLLMM Research Centre to secure long-term, ongoing funding​​
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Fight to strengthen planning policies and design standards to improve energy efficiency, greening and active travel outcomes in new developments
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Support local environmental projects and initiatives, such as those through councils, community groups and organisations​​​​​
Housing
Rising living costs together with housing and rental shortages mean more people in our electorate of Finniss are finding themselves one crisis away from experiencing homelessness.
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Political rhetoric is focused on building more homes, but solving homelessness is not just about housing supply. As Shelter SA highlighted before its forced closure in January 2026, due to state government funding cuts, it is a crisis of supply and affordability.
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Market prices have pushed home ownership out of reach for South Australians on lower incomes. Even so‑called “affordable housing” is beyond the reach of many. Private rentals are unaffordable and vacancy rates remain at historic lows.
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To ensure every South Australian has a safe, secure place to call home, we must increase our investment in social housing. ​
Current state Government commitments, which sit around 1,000 new state‑built homes, plus limited federal support, fall far short of what our communities need.
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Regional South Australia is particularly affected, with too few homes for emergency accommodation or those requiring additional support.
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Housing is the foundation for dignity, stability, and opportunity. When we invest in secure homes and services, we give people the chance to rebuild their lives with hope.
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My Commitments
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Champion a major expansion of social housing for regional communities
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Push for innovative building solutions for new social housing and greater efficiencies with overall social housing stock, to make the most of what is already available
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Advocate for regional emergency accommodation so people can stay close to their communities and support networks
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Work with the incredible local organisations behind The Fleurieu Accommodation Project, which has emerged in the face of current critical social housing shortages - Junction, Fleurieu Community Foundation, Zonta Club, and Bendigo Community Bank
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Support frontline agencies facing overwhelming demand, ensuring services are properly funded and coordinated
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Join calls from organisations such as SACOSS to address the lack of resourcing for a dedicated peak body in housing and homelessness for SA
