Working hard for South Australia's future

Latest from John

In Parliament

Chief Psychiatrist
Nov 30, 2017
The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:39): Supplementary question: given that Dr Brian McKenny has been acting in the role of chief psychiatrist since the departure of Dr Aaron Groves, a fine...
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Suicide Prevention
Nov 30, 2017
The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:58):  I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse a question about suicide prevention training. Leave...
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Reservoirs
Nov 29, 2017
The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:02): Supplementary question: will the minister provide updated information on what SA Water will do to facilitate the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the completion...
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About Parliament

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of South Australia. Its central purpose is to act as a house of review for legislation passed through the lower house, the House of Assembly. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Adelaide.

The upper house has 22 members elected for eight-year terms by proportional representation, with 11 members facing re-election every four years. It is elected in a similar manner to its federal counterpart, the Australian Senate. Casual vacancies—where a member resigns or dies—are filled by a joint sitting of both houses, who then elect a replacement.

Learn more about South Australia's Parliament

John's causes

SUICIDE PREVENTION

John has been a passionate advocate of suicide prevention throughout his public service, bringing awareness and openness to a topic that for many years was treated as taboo. John was first appointed Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in 2012, and currently serves as the State Opposition Spokesperson for Suicide Prevention.

John works closely with many suicide prevention networks and organisations, such as the 801 Group, Silent Ripples, Beyond Blue, as well as the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist at SA Health, and many more.

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