Memo from Mayo October 19

Get the kids off Nauru

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie is backing a Private Member's Bill that would temporarily bring any of the 77 children on Nauru to Australia if they needed urgent medical treatment.

The Bill, to be formally introduced next sitting week by the Independent Member for Denison Andrew Wilkie, has been seconded by Rebekha.

“This is not a left wing, right wing thing. This is just the right thing to do, and so I hope the Parliament will get behind us,” Rebekha said during a press conference (pictured above with fellow crossbenchers Adam Bandt and Andrew Wilkie).

You can read Rebekha's press release here.

After announcing the Bill, Rebekha used Question Time to ask Prime Minister Scott Morrison to support the call of the crossbench, and some of his own backbench, and temporarily relocate children from Nauru so that they can receive the medical care that every child deserves. You can watch here.

Following that question, Rebekha took up an invitation to attend a crossbench briefing with the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, David Coleman.

"I appreciated the Minister's time. I do not believe it is beyond this Parliament to find a solution for the children on Nauru. In the meantime, the crossbench will continue to apply pressure," Rebekha said.

Call for urgent NDIS plan review

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has called on the Government to intervene in the case of an Adelaide Hills man with severe disabilities who has been left with just a fraction of the support he needs under his transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Photo courtesy @SamHensmanStory: Sam Hensman and his fiance Tess.

The life of Sam Hensman, 25, of Heathfield, changed forever in 2016 when a congenital condition led to an acquired brain injury that left him unable to walk or talk and made him completely reliant on care.

When he recently transitioned from Disability SA to the NDIS, his funding package was slashed dramatically, leading to a significant reduction in support and prompting his family to approach their local MP to intervene.

"I met with the Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, this week to discuss Sam's case. I will not give up until we get the right outcome for Sam," Rebekha said.

You can read Rebekha's press release here and her speech in parliament here.

A national container deposit scheme

This week Rebekha called on the Government to work with the States and Territories to implement a national container deposit scheme before the next election.

South Australia has had a container deposit scheme for 41 years and the State is the cleaner for it.

Drink containers account for less than 3% of litter in SA compared with nearly 50% in NSW. Victoria and Tasmania need to stop dragging their feet in the war against waste and commit to a container deposit scheme.

You can read Rebekha's motion and speech here.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

Rebekha spoke on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2018 during Parliament this week.

"I support this legislation but I recognise that there are improvements that need to be made," Rebekha said.

"What is needed now is greater transparency and accountability, and that is the aim of my Private Members Bill. We cannot wait for the outcomes of a Royal Commission."

You can read Rebekha's speech here.

Breast of Friends

Photo: Sharon and Mandy from Breast of Friends Victor Harbor with Rebekha at Pink Lady Day. The gorgeous pink ribbon in the photo was created by Deb of Port Elliot using squares and flowers created by group members.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and October 13 was the day to stop and think of the women (and men) with advanced breast cancer who travel a very different journey to those with an early diagnosis.

Last week Rebekha spent Pink Lady Day with the wonderful women from the support group Breast of Friends Victor Harbor and this week she spoke about the group and breast cancer awareness month. You can watch Rebekha's speech here.

Building local industries

Building tourism and export opportunities and cutting government red tape were the key topics on the agenda of a meeting of local craft distillers that Rebekha hosted in the electorate recently.

The meeting was a by-election commitment with Rebekha promising to meet with small-scale distillers to work through the issues facing this growing boutique industry. You can read her press release here.

At the Craft Distillers meeting were Willa Wauchope from Pot and Still, left, Trudy Dickson from Ambleside Distillers, Ian Schmidt from Tin Shed Distillery, David Pearse from Five Nines Distilling, Paul Shand from Spirit of Gondwana, Gareth Andrews from Fleurieu Distillery, the Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie, Sacha LaForgia from Adelaide Hills Distillery and Wes Heddles from Prohibition Liquor Co.

Rebekha also caught up with locals Susie Green from Apple and Pear Australia Limited, Andy Chambers from Seed Consulting Services and Graeme Pitchford from Pitchford Produce (pictured above) in Parliament House this week.

The trio was among many growers and industry representatives who showcased their businesses as part of the Hort Innovation Alumni Network.

Round 4 Mobile Black Spot Program

Seven priority sites in five locations have been put forward by Rebekha for Round 4 of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.

However, the short-list was in addition to hundreds of other sites submitted to the Department of Communications and the Arts after Rebekha put out a call for nominations last month.

The priority list includes the areas of Highland Valley/Bugle Ranges, Kuitpo, Cudlee Creek, Carey Gully and Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island.

Telecommunications companies will be tendering for Round 4 later in the year.

You can read Rebekha's press release here.

Centre Alliance's position on CDP

This week Centre Alliance decided not to support the Government's proposed Social Security Legislation Amendment (Community Development Program) Bill 2018 in its current form.

Rebekha, who is Centre Alliance's Spokesperson for Social Services, said the program disproportionally affected Aboriginal people.

You can read the full statement here.