Following yesterday’s Liberal promise to build a new all-purpose stadium in the western end of the city, I’d like to declare my position.

If there is a hung parliament my position is clear: Hands off Adelaide Oval! It’s a famous historic cricket venue, with many heritage features. It’s just not appropriate to cover it with concrete and steel, and turn it into something we’ll regret later.

Football has a fine home at West Lakes. Already we have seen doubts from the Crows questioning whether footy can work with cricket at the same venue. There’s no point pushing both groups into a scheme that will just ruin the heritage of our world famous oval.

I welcome Isobel Redmond’s proposal to create an independent authority to oversee development along the Torrens and the West End of the City. We need to keep these mega-developments at arms length from government ministers. However, I remain unconvinced that it is worth spending $450 million (Labor) or $800 million (Liberal) on yet another sports and entertainment complex.

We need to get our priorities straight before any of these grand spending plans are put into effect. Water, health, housing, education, disabilities and transport must be fully funded before we start splurging on entertainment.

While Labor announces plans for a new $75 million interchange at Darlington, I already offered a cheaper, alternative solution more than two years ago.

Premier Mike Rann has said: “The Southern Expressway presented a planning nightmare for those trying to design the Darlington interchange.”

But I already offered a solution, using an existing vacant site, saving the taxpayer millions of dollars. In February 2008, I called for the vacant Mitsubishi site to be used as a road/rail interchange.

The large roof space at Mitsubishi could be used to showcase and implement solar energy and possibly water harvesting technologies.

In addition the very large car park area and proximity to the train line make this an ideal site for a transport interchange.

Southern commuters could travel via the Southern Expressway, park at Mitsubishi, and then continue by train to the city – 20 minutes from Clovelly Park to the city in peak hour!! This would ease traffic congestion, and car parking pressure within the city.

Both initiatives would position SA as the smart sustainable state of the 21st century.

A Marion restaurant with dubious food standards has even threatened legal action to prevent exposure.

I put in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request with the Marion Council before Christmas requesting the names of all restaurants in the Marion area, which have breached food standards.

I’m entitled to the information, after successfully winning a test case with the Ombudsman in May of last year for the names of dodgy restaurants in the Adelaide City Council area.

The Ombudsman ruled that expiation notices and prohibition orders must be disclosed in the interest of public safety.

But FOI documents are only released with consultation with affected parties. I’ve been told I can’t have the information yet because one restaurant won’t comply, and has threatened legal action.

Restaurants that breach food standards are first issued with improvement notices, followed by expiation notices if the breach continues. The third step is a prohibition order, which effectively shuts the restaurant down.

The public have a right to know when a restaurant has breached health standards.

I will not drop this issue and I will pursue this restaurant for resisting the public’s right to know its food standards history.

It may well be that the restaurant has since rectified its kitchen operations and, if it has, I commend them.

But the people in this area deserve to be able to make informed decisions about where they and their families eat.

I’m calling on the Government to recall Parliament before the election.

Last week, we saw the Attorney-General backflip on legislation which makes it illegal for internet bloggers to comment on the election anonymously.

The Attorney-General promised to repeal the law after the election. Why not now?

If the Labor Government was really listening to the people, they’d be acting now to ensure peace of mind for internet bloggers who – regardless of the backflip – will still be breaking the law if they blog anonymously during this election.

Child Sex Offender laws are also in need of desperate attention.

Mr Atkinson has promised to review laws which put evidence at risk of being disallowed in child sex offender cases, meaning some offenders may get off scot-free.

Once again, he says he will do something about it after the election.

This needs to be fixed up urgently. Victims deserve justice now – not after the Attorney-General has finished running his election campaign!

State Parliament should be recalled next Tuesday to tackle the two issues, with the election called the following weekend.

Thank you to everyone who attended my campaign launch on the weekend. We had a huge turnout, with many people signing up to help out during the campaign. That help is greatly appreciated. (Stay tuned for photos from the day).

Nick Xenophon spoke at the launch and had this to say:

“It’s crucial that Kris Hanna is re-elected as the Independent Member for Mitchell. Not only is he a great local member, he also keeps the Government accountable on a whole range of issues, whether it’s water, pokies, health or transport.

“I’ve known Kris for many years and he is a tireless worker for his local community and is much needed in Parliament.”

Happy new year! The state election is just a couple of months away and one of the big issues will be whether to renovate the old RAH or build a new hospital. Late last year, I surveyed residents of the inner southern suburbs over this issue and the results were surprising.

The results show that 63% of voters want to keep the old RAH where it is. Many people are unhappy with the location and cost of the proposed hospital.

The Rann Government has completely underestimated the community’s opposition to building a new RAH on the old rail yards. It is strange they have not sold the case for a new hospital, despite being masters of public relations and spin.

I’ve become a hospital change sceptic.

While Labor have tried to make it look like a done deal, there has been no binding commitment to build a new hospital for Adelaide. So far we have had very little detail from the Government, apart from glossy press releases. With up to $2 billion of taxpayers’ money at stake in one of the biggest projects the city has ever seen, I think the people of SA deserve a proper accountable explanation.

Unless there is a really good case made to spend this money, the message is clear from my constituents. They want me to oppose the new hospital. Before we spend any more money, we need an inquiry to reveal the real cost of the various proposals, and to find out what will actually provide the best value for South Australia.

I’m calling for a Commission of Inquiry into Labor and Liberal proposals to build or rebuild the Royal Adelaide Hospital. The Commission would have the same powers as a Royal Commission, such as the power to summon witnesses and view confidential documents.

The Commission would be headed by a retired judge, with a committee made up of a doctor, an engineer, an architect and a health administrator. The committee should be selected from qualified people who have never been involved in the debate – possibly from interstate.

Are Tasers Necessary?

At the request of the Commissioner of Police, the State Government agreed to provide $2.4 million to buy 300 tasers to be carried in all police patrol cars. SAPOL conducted a six-month trial of the electronic control devices, and say they are effective for dealing with armed offenders.

SAPOL says officers will be provided with eight-hour training courses in how to use tasers, and attached cameras will record their use, which will be reviewed by senior police.

Personal issue to police officers will be considered in the future, dependent upon satisfactory use of the new tasers.

I remain highly sceptical about the need for these devices and will closely monitor their use.

Maralinga Land Returned to the Maralinga Tjarutja

I supported legislation to return 3,000 square kilometres of land north-west of Ceduna to its traditional owners - the Maralinga Tjarutja people. The Government says the land, which was the site of nuclear testing from 1953 to 1963, is said to have been remediated.
There are many tourism opportunities for the Maralinga Township, with the original village still in existence. There will be funding for an interpretive centre and a caravan park accommodation facility may be available.

Parliament’s Last Three Days of Debate

Parliament will sit for three days this week, leaving only three days of debate until about may 2010. Meanwhile, Labor stifles debate on non-Government proposals by continually adjourning. As a result, many issues will be adjourned until next year or even dropped altogether. One item shelved is the proposal for an Independent Commission against Corruption.

Conflicts of interest and dodgy contracts. See the story I did with Today Tonight by clicking here.