About

Parliament

Amanda is Standing Up for the South in Canberra

Since being elected in 2008, Amanda has been working hard to represent Southern Adelaide in Parliament. Amanda has regularly spoken in Parliament to recognise the important contributions of a number of Southern Adelaide community groups and individuals including the achievements of Seaford Meadows Scout Group, local graduates of the Smith Family Learning for Life program, our dedicated CFS volunteers, Anglicare at St Hilary’s and the Salvation Army at Noarlunga.

Amanda has introduced a number of Private Members’ Motions into the Federal Parliament on topics such as the sexualisation of children, the need for accurate food labelling and the importance of support for families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders to name just a few. These Private Members’ Motions and the debate which followed can be accessed at  Amanda’s Speeches .

Amanda was proud to speak in support of the Australia’s first national Paid Parental Leave scheme. Amanda listened as local parents explained just how difficult it can be to balance work and family commitments. Amanda recognised the importance of assisting parents to stay at home with their newborn child during those critical first few months and welcomed the opportunity to stand up and support the scheme. This historic legislation is now helping employers to attract and retain skilled staff, allowing more women of child bearing age to stay connected with the workforce and, importantly, it is now giving more babies the best start in life. Amanda’s speech on the Paid Parental Leave Bill 2010 can be accessed through the Amanda's Speeches page of this website.

Amanda has raised the importance of securing modern internet facilities for the South numerous times in Parliament. Amanda understands that local businesses and families rely on fast and affordable broadband services. Amanda is delighted that the National Broadband Network is kicking off in Southern Adelaide and she regularly speaks in support of this vital infrastructure which will help build a competitive region capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century. For further details, you may wish to browse the Amanda’s Speeches section.

Amanda uses her time in Parliament to raise the issues which are most important to local residents, families and businesses in Adelaide’s Southern Suburbs. In recent times Amanda has commended Federal Labor’s investment in securing South Australia’s urban water supply, emphasised the importance of road safety and fought hard for improved health services.

Amanda is working hard to support Southern Adelaide in both the community and the Parliament and will continue to stand up for families and businesses in the South.

Committees

Since being elected in 2007, Amanda has been fighting hard for the South in a number of Parliamentary and Caucus committees.

House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment

Amanda is Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment. This is one of nine general purpose investigatory committees established by the House of Representatives to inquire into areas such as employment participation and barriers to higher education and training. This committee conducts ongoing inquiries into matters referred to it by the House of Representatives or a Minister of the Commonwealth Government.

Most recently, the Committee conducted an inquiry into bullying in the workplace. For further information about this inquiry and to view the report visit the inquiry home page. 

The Committee has also conducted an inquiry into the barriers to participation in education and employment for people who suffer from mental illness. The Committee has now tabled a report entitled Work Wanted which makes a number of recommendations about how best we can support people with mental illness to transition to and remain in education and employment.

Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters

Amanda is also a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters. This committee is one of thirteen joint committees in the Commonwealth Parliament, and was established by a resolution of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The role of this committee is to inquire into and report on matters relating to electoral laws and practices and their administration as may be referred to it by either the House of the Parliament or a Minister.

Joint Select Committee on Cyber Safety

Amanda is a member of the Joint Select Committee on Cyber Safety.  This committee was appointed to inquire into and report on the online environment, the nature and level of risk associated with cyber-safety threats, Australian and international responses to cyber-safety threats, the economic benefits of new technologies, ways to best support schools to reduce cyber-bullying and the merits of the establishment of an Online Ombudsman to advocate and act on cyber-safety issues.

Status of Women Caucus Committee

Amanda is Secretary of the Status of Women Caucus Committee. This committee provides a gender lens to all legislation ensuring equal treatment and equitable outcomes for both men and women.

The Status of Women Caucus Committee progresses an important agenda to remove barriers to women’s full engagement in the social, political and economic life of this nation.