House debates
Thursday, 12 March 2026
Constituency Statements
South Australian State Election
10:15 am
Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source
In just nine days, South Australians will have their time to decide who will govern the state for another four years. We have been blessed over the last four years to have Premier Peter Malinauskas, more affectionately known as Mali, lead our state and reinvigorate our state's economy. Just in the last four years we've brought back the V8 Supercars and LIV Golf and just secured MotoGP, and we've had the Gather Round, the premier weekend package for those who love Aussie rules. It has reinvigorated our economy to the point where people want to invest in our state, and they are lining up to do so. It is a fantastic opportunity for people looking to make South Australia their home.
So it is with great pleasure that I will now go through the list of fantastic candidates that we have in and around my electorate. But, firstly, I want to congratulate the outgoing member for Elizabeth, Lee Odenwalder, on his 16 years in state parliament. He's made a fine contribution to his local electorate and community, and I wish him all the best for the future. Another retiring member is Tony Piccolo, who has been the member for Light and will be contesting the seat of Ngadjuri. He has been a fantastic stalwart in the Gawler area for decades, and I'm sure he will do a fantastic job in the Ngadjuri seat moving forward.
My predecessor, Nick Champion, will be recontesting the seat of Taylor, and he has been leading the way in the planning and housing portfolio for the last four years, delivering on significant housing growth not just in my electorate but across the state and helping to take the pressure off our housing crisis. Zoe Bettison, the member for Ramsey and the state Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs, will be recontesting and doing a fantastic job there around Salisbury. Rhiannon Pearce, the member for King, up around Golden Grove, has been doing a stellar job over the last four years but is also a first-term minister. So congratulations to Rhiannon. To John Fullbrook, my long-term friend: all the best, mate, in the seat of Playford. You've put your community first. You've worked really hard over the last four years, and you've had your fair share of challenges—all the best on Saturday week. To James Agness, James Rothe, Ella Shaw and Matt Marozzi, who are all good friends running in their seats as new candidates: Go well. I know you've put in the hard yards, and you definitely deserve the vote. Best of luck on Saturday week.
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