About Mark

Click here to view Marks CV

Tracey and I have been married for 24 years and have two children. I am a local person, who grew up on our family property at Houghton. From my background in farming, banking and politics, and being a family man, I understand the issues that affect the people of Kavel.

I have been committed to delivering results for the benefit of everyone in Kavel.

Being elected as your Local MP in 2002, I have worked hard for our region and am pleased to deliver real results for the community.

Health

I have worked with health professionals for increased resources to improve the level of health services, in particular delivering additional personnel in the area of mental health care.

After-hours care at our local hospital required further resources to provide an all-night service to the community and I successfully lobbied for this service which is now in place.

I am committed to seeing that we all receive the level of services required.

I have also highlighted concerns with the delivery of health services at the local hospital and as a result, there have been increased resources allocated.

Schools 

Education has been another key priority for me. I am pleased that in my first term Kavel secured in excess of $8.5 million in capital works funding for schools. Every school in the electorate has received my full support in an effort to see that they all receive their fair share of funding and resources. Our children deserve a good education which is fundamental to their development. This work will continue to ensure  the best opportunities are achieved.

Recent achievements have been the extensive upgrade to the Woodside Primary School, and the announcement in the 2008 State Budget that Littlehampton Primary School will have a new Child Parent Centre built ($1.680 m) and the Nairne Primary School will have a feasibility study carried out to investigate campus facility requirements to meet student growth with the aim of securing funding under a future capital works program.

Law & Order

I strongly campaigned for a new police station at Mt Barker, with increased police resources. I have delivered that. I will continue to fight for further increases in the number of Police at Mt Barker and other stations in Kavel. This is important to improve the community’s safety and security and to reduce crime levels.

Roads & Transport

Road safety infrastructure is also a specific focus. Many improvements have been achieved, with kilometres of guard rail being built and over a million dollars in road resurfacing and upgrading taking place.

I strongly support and will continue to pursue the need for construction of a second freeway interchange at Bald Hills Road, Mt Barker

I lobbied successfully for improved public transport services, with increased peak services operating from Mt Barker. The new Park n Ride Mt Barker will also be of great benefit to those who commute. Whilst considerably more resources are required throughout the Adelaide Hills, I am pleased that I have assisted in bringing about improvements.

Further work is certainly needed on our roads and transport services which I will continue to press for.

Business / Jobs

I have promoted employment opportunities & economic development.  I actively support industry groups in their fight against Government bureaucracies and will continue to assist businesses in Kavel whenever possible.

Environment

Environmental issues are very important. I have assisted several Landcare & community groups to ensure our unique Hills’ environment is not only protected but enhanced. I supported changes in the law to identify the Adelaide Hills as a specific region concerning Natural Resource Management.