Work Time

July 21st, 2016

New Mayo MP Elect Rebekha Sharkie is looking to hit the ground running after making history to be the first minor party candidate to represent the region since its inception in 1984.

Beginning her career in office management in the legal sector, Rebekha worked for 15 years as a paralegal before spending a further six years in various political offices including those of former state opposition leader Isobel Redmond and former Mayo MP, Jamie Briggs.

For the past four years, Rebekha has been the National Executive Officer of Youth Connections, connecting young people with essential services.

Her first interest in becoming a politician came after she was unable to meet with Jamie Briggs to discuss the ending of a youth program.

After approaching Nick Xenophon, he was able to get Rebekha in front of a senate committee.

Since being appointed as the Nick Xenophon Team candidate for Mayo late last year, Rebekha has travelled more than 50,000 kilometres meeting people from all over the electorate.

Supported by her husband, three children, parents and friends, Rebekha feels truly honoured to represent the community that she loves so dearly.

“I have proven myself throughout the long election campaign but now the hard work begins. I need to keep proving myself to the people of Mayo,” Rebekha said.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of all my family, friends and the support from the community.

“We truly have the best electorate in the state, if not Australia, by far.”

Her two teenage sons have gotten in on the fun, keeping Rebekha grounded in a whirlwind of excitement and publicity.

“The two of them are having great fun placing jars of mayo all over the house and it is fantastic being able to share this with them,” Rebekha said.

In the few days following the election much talk surrounded the possibility of a hung parliament and where the allegiances of the minor party cross-benchers would lie.

Contesting the election with an open ticket had many asking which major party would be given preference by the Nick Xenophon team.

“We will be analysing each piece of legislation put forward to the parliament on its merits,” Rebekha said.

“If we think the legislation should have amendments made we will suggest them.

“We also acknowledge the need for stability and will not restrict supply or make things unnecessarily difficult.”

Now excitedly waiting for her call to attend Canberra, Rebekha is facing multiple media outlets and receiving more than 200 daily emails.

She and the Nick Xenophon Team have a specific first task in mind; to introduce a crucial piece of legislation into the parliament, campaigned for by a notable Adelaide Hills based foundation.

“We have been working with the Carly Ryan Foundation and will introduce a new bill into the parliament making it a crime for an adult to groom a child online, while pretending to be a child themselves,” Rebekha said.

“Not many people realise that this act alone, at the present time is not considered to be a crime.”

Also high up on her list of priorities is to ensure the delivery of promises made to the people of Mayo by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during the election campaign.

“I will be keeping the government to their word on all of the promises made to Mayo during the election campaign,” Rebekha said.

Promises from Prime Minister Turnbull included a $3.75 million dollar contribution to the proposed new Mount Barker sports facility, $500,000 for the Victor Harbor RSL as well as $30,000 promised to the Strathalbyn Football Club.

Next for Rebekha is to set up her office in Mount Barker, a place she wants to engage with people and groups from all over the region.

“I want the office to be the first port of call for people, not the last,” she said.

“I am hoping to have an office in Victor Harbor open two days a week for the community who live on the Fleurieu as well as on Kangaroo Island.”

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