Over 400 pensioners and seniors from the federal electorate of Port Adelaide have participated in 4 Seniors & Pensioners Information Days hosted by Mark in Salisbury, Semaphore and Croydon during June and July. Mark addressed each forum on the Government's Health and Hospital Reform agenda, and information was provided regarding aged care, pensions and benefits, home security and more. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to share in morning tea and a have a chat with Mark and his staff.

The Aviation Museum in Port Adelaide invited Mark to launch their latest fundraising appeal to help the museum buy and maintain Jon Johansen's home built RV-4 aircraft at the museum. Jon Johansen is an Australian adventurer who is famous for taking his home built plane around the world and across both polar regions. Donations can be made direct to the museum.

Family Doctor week is hosted in July by the Adelaide Western division of General Practice. Clinics are held at Arndale and West Lakes shopping centre to help promote the importance of seeing a GP for regular checkups. Visiting the Arndale clinic Mark took the opportunity to have quick blood pressure check.

The Australian Government has taken steps to make feeding power into the grid simpler and fairer for pensioners.

The Government has clarified the way feed-in tariffs from household solar panels are assessed for the purposes of the pension income test

Feed-in tariffs that are paid to pensioners as a credit on an electricity bill will not be assessed as income under the pension income test. More

Mark officially opened the Semaphore Information Centre and Adelaide Eco Info Exchange in March. The centre is a not-for-profit community initiative set up and staffed by local volunteers to promote the attractions of Semaphore, Port Adelaide and Largs Bay. The centre is located at 64a Semaphore Road and has been funded by donations from local businesses and residents, starting with $5000 from the Semaphore Palais, and two grants for the State Government.

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 and Principal took Ms Gillard and Mr Butler 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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The Government recently rejected Parafield Airport's Draft Master Plan. This is only the second time in Australia that a Draft Airport Master Plan has been rejected by an Australian Government.

The ball is now squarely in the Airport's court to show that it's willing to work with the local community about noise and other issues associated with the Airport's future operations.

Aircraft Noise Complaints should be reported to Air Services Australia on
1800 802 584 (free call) More

Mark hosted a breakfast forum with local Principals at the Watershed, Mawson Lakes. Local principals met and mingled with Ms Gillard before receiving an address on the Government's Education agenda. A question and answer session followed, covering topics such as NAPLAN, National Partnerships, Disability Education and more. More

The Government announced the National Archives of Australia will maintain face-to-face services in Adelaide.

"This will enable the National Archives to continue to provide high quality services in Adelaide for all South Australians," the Member for Port Adelaide, Mark Butler said. More

Lefevre Peninsula residents came one step closer today to having a new multi-purpose sports facility with work officially commencing today on the new Lefevre Community Centre.

Federal Member for Port Adelaide, Mark Butler, and Mayor of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, Gary Johanson, together turned the first sod on the $4.6 million project, which will form part of the greater Lefevre Community Centre Recreation project.
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The Rudd Government's release of its Defence White Paper earlier this year has secured Port Adelaide's place as the centre of Australian naval building for decades to come. The White Paper confirmed the Government's commitment to building at least three new Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs) at a new site under construction alongside the Submarine Corporation at Osborne. The Government has also left an option open for a fourth AWD to be built. More

In October, the Prime Minister and South Australian Premier announced the design concept for a South Road Superway that will become the backbone of a dedicated north-south transport corridor for Adelaide. The Superway will connect from the Port River Expressway to Regency Road, reducing travel times by up to 7 minutes and improving safety for the up to 45,000 vehicles that use this section of the road every day. More

Minister Penny Wong and Mark recently announced $20 million from the Federal Government for key stormwater re-use projects which includes the City of Charles Sturt's Water Proofing the West project. The funding will support developing infrastructure capable of capturing, treating and supplying stormwater to replace potable water for irrigation and industrial use with an offset of approximately 555 million litres per year. The Waterproofing the West project incorporates the Old Port Road Wetlands project and the Cheltenham Wetlands More

NEW OFFICE: Mark's office has relocated to 15 Semaphore Road Semaphore to the heritage listed, former Australia Post building.

Mark and his staff look forward to providing assistance with your issues from this new centrally located office on Semaphore Road. For contact details please click here More

Mark recently visited the Australian War Memorial with students from years 10 & 11. A new generation paying their respects at the tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier. If your school would like to arrange a tour please contact the electorate office or to learn more about our national memorial click here More

Blood Buddies, a new online resource for year 7 - 10 students, was launched on 1st September at Woodville High School in South Australia by Mark.

Developed by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Blood Buddies uses animation, real people talking about their own experiences, and interactive techniques to engage students in the science of blood and foster an understanding of why blood is such a vital resource. More

Are you aged between between 12 and 18 years of age? The Local Sporting Champions program is an Australian Government initiative designed to provide financial assistance for junior sportsmen and women towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing at an official national sporting organisation. To find out more or to apply click More

Diabetes Australia is a national federated body comprised of state and territory organisations supporting people with diabetes and those professional and research bodies, particularly concerned with the treatment and prevention of diabetes.

Mark recently attended the Parks Sports and Fitness centre at Angle Park to help promote the Active After-school Communities program. Encouraging local children to participate in 1.5 Million passes of a ball. That's one for every Australian with diabetes. More