Community justice advocate Katherine Davies has been announced as the South Australian Labor Party’s candidate for the seat of Mount Gambier.
Described by party leader Peter Malinauskas as a passionate advocate for her community with a “heart of gold”, Ms Davies will contest the seat of Mount Gambier at next year’s state election.
A solicitor at the Limestone Coast Community Justice Centre since 2018, Ms Davies told The SE Voice she would ensure Mount Gambier is in the minds of policy builders.
“Ultimately, my goal is to represent Mount Gambier,” she said.
“I’m in a very privileged position at the Community Justice Centre and I see a lot of people who are struggling with legal issues but also legal adjacent issues that are sometimes born from lack of housing or lack of access to health or mental health services.
“I see a lot of these side issues that can translate into legal problems.
“Seeing that and seeing where there is a lack of funding means that I really want to get those services better-funded down here.”
Ms Davies will focus on securing funds for health and mental health services, and better access to TeleHealth.
Ms Davies also highlighted issues with ReturnToWorkSA, encountered in her own practise as a solicitor, from her own issues with the system, and from concerns raised by locals.
Adding to her role as a solicitor, Ms Davies is also secretary of the Limestone Coast Family Violence Action Group, secretary of the Limestone Coast Community Services Round Table, is part of the Regional Queer Youth Services Network and on the Limestone Coast Drug Action Team.
Ms Davies thinks the Marshall Liberal government has “certainly ignored this seat”.
“When I first moved down here almost six years ago, everyone said the government thinks the state ends at the tollgate.
“We have had a change of power and we still do not have much to show for it,” she said.
Ahead of the state election in March 2022, Ms Davies will be out in the community as much as she can, welcoming feedback whether good or bad and information on what Mount Gambier wants that it is not getting from the current state government or current Member for Mount Gambier.
“I certainly have my own views on it, but I’m not going to say I have got all the answers,” she said.
“And I certainly know there are lots of people down here that have some really creative solutions to some of the issues that we have got down here and I’m keen to hear from them.”
