Amanda in 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.

Most recently, Amanda introduced a Private Members’ Motion into the Federal Parliament on the topic of food labelling. A number of residents in the local community had expressed to Amanda a level of concern regarding the clarity, simplicity and accuracy of food labelling.The Private Members’ Motion and the debate which followed can be accessed through at  Amanda’s Speeches . In light of the recent public release of the independent review into food labelling standards headed by Dr Neal Blewett, Amanda has raised this important issue again in the form of an opinion piece published on The Punch. To read this article, see http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/fri-amanda-rishworth-on-food-labelling/.

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. From January 1 2011, this historic legislation will help employers to attract and retain skilled staff, allow more women of child bearing age to stay connected with the workforce and, importantly, will give 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 has risen in Parliament to champion the cause of the most vulnerable in our community - children. Amanda is passionate about protecting our children and believes that something needs to be done to stop their continued and damaging sexualisation. For more information on this issue, you can access Amanda's Speeches or take a look at these articles related to Amanda's cause:
Ban raunchy videos for sake of kids (The Advertiser, 29/1/10)
Sexualised images stir parliamentary debate (ABC Online, 10/2/10)
Bid to clip steamy music videos (Courier Mail, 10/2/10)

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.