Local schools continue to benefit from the roll out of the Building the Education Revolution with new classrooms, school halls, science and language centres. Largs Bay Primary School, Salisbury Downs Primary School, Mawson Lakes School and Our Lady of the Visitation are just some of the local schools to share in the Government's $16.2 billion investment.

Mark met with Uniting Care Wesley in Port Adelaide to discuss how the Government will work with the community to help people who are both long term unemployed and living with a mental illness lead more socially and economically productive lives. More than $78 million over five years is available to support some of the most marginalised members of the community to find and retain employment. The 2011 Budget delivers the largest mental health package in the nation's history with $2.2 billion in new measures including more than $1.5 billion in this Budget and over $600 million announced in the 2010 Budget.

Mark attended the opening of the new headquarters of the largest defence project in SA - the construction of three new warships at the Techport precinct. More than 800 people are working on the new destroyers, with the number expected to increase to more than 1000 in 2012. The project could see an investment of up to $2 billion here in SA and that means jobs for the local community.

Mark opened the $5 million upgrade of hospitality facilities at TAFE SA's Regency Campus. The $5 million investment was part of a $70 million State and Federal Government commitment to upgrading and maintaining TAFE SA facilities. The new centre, funded through the Government's Better TAFE Facilities fund, will boost skills and employment opportunities for local young people.

Many locals expressed to me their concern following the State Budget announcement that the Parks Community Centre would be closed. Mark wrote to, and then met with, State Government Minister Hon Jennifer Rankine about the matter. He was pleased to see the closure and sale plans set aside until such time as a review of the facilities has been undertaken. Funding was secured for services at the Parks until 30 Sept 2011 with the Commissioner due to report back to the State Government in April.

Mark attended Kilkenny Primary School's Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden opening with former State Education Minister Premier Jay Weatherill. The garden teaches students to enjoy the benefits of growing, preparing and sharing fresh food. The school is one of 190 schools across Australia to receive Government funding of up to $60k to cover infrastructure costs associated with building kitchens and gardens. This important program will help tackle levels of childhood obesity by giving children hands-on experience in healthy eating.

Mark was appointed Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform in December 2011 and relishes the opportunity to work in these portfolios at a time when the Australian Government is committed to delivering long lasting reforms to these sectors. The Government tasked the Productivity Commission to undertake a comprehensive inquiry into aged care and develop options for structural reform. The Government is currently considering the recommendations of the Report.

Woodville High School and the Islamic College of SA will soon provide access to world-class education and training facilities after being allocated $219.6m in Round Three of the Australian Government's Trade Training Centres in Schools program. The Government's $2.5 billion program aims to increase educational and training opportunities for young people, creating a pathway to future employment opportunities.

More than $300,000 was recently invested in three local projects via the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. The projects that will be funded include a new playground and park furniture for Ferryden Park and the installation of a new solar power system at the Woodville Library. Total investment in the program is more than $1b.

Mark welcomed the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman's recommendations of improved and more responsive ways of addressing complaints about noise. Airservices Australia has said it will adopt all 18 recommendations.
Ombudsman, Ron Brent, has looked closely at the way Airservices Australia receives, handles and responds to complaints about aircraft noise.  More

Pennington Primary received $2.5 million out of the Primary Schools for the 21st Century element of the BER, which it has used to construct a new gymnasium.

School captains took Mark and the Prime Minister on a tour of the new gym. They were also showed upgrades to the science lab and art room which were undertaken as part of the $150,000 grant the school received under the National School Pride component of the BER.
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