Kris studied law at Adelaide University while working part-time as a project officer at the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS). After graduating with Honours, he practiced as a solicitor – primarily in the areas of injury litigation and criminal defence work.

In 1995, Kris decided to run for the local council, and served as a Marion Councillor for two years.

In 1997, Kris was invited to run for state Parliament as a Labor candidate. Political commentators had dismissed his chances of winning Mitchell. However, with a good local campaign, and plenty of footwork, Kris wrested the seat from Liberal Colin Caudell with a massive swing of 10.3%. Kris won the seat again in 2002.

After his campaigns against the war in Iraq, and in favour of workers’ rights, and dignity for injured people, Kris became disenchanted with the Government’s approach to social justice issues. With his active concerns for local environmental issues, Kris was then invited to join the Greens.

However, by the 2006 election Kris decided to leave party politics altogether in order to concentrate on local constituents and was elected as an Independent MP. He will stand again at the election in March 2010.

During his 12 years in Parliament, Kris has campaigned for his local community, as well as on state-wide and national issues. He has introduced many Bills into Parliament. He regularly speaks up for those without a voice, and has addressed a diverse range of topics such as the harsh treatment of genuine refugees, the rights of citizens, the environment, constitutional reform, Workcover, water conservation and the river Murray, victims of crime, mental health, and abuses in Parliament.

Apart from his Parliamentary work, Kris is highly active in his community, having served on the Reynella Business and Tourism Association, many school councils, sports clubs, neighbourhood watch and other community groups.

Over the years, Kris has helped thousands of constituents, and has a regular programme of doorknocking the local electorate to keep in touch with what people think about politics and their hopes for the future.