Hi, I’m Josh. I’m the Member for Heysen in the South Australian Parliament.
My wife Maria and I live in the Adelaide Hills, where we are raising our three children: Emily, Astrid and Victor. Like many families in this part of the world, we value the sense of community, the natural beauty of the Hills and the strong local institutions that support our daily lives.
I grew up in Adelaide in a household shaped by public service and education. My parents instilled in me a lasting respect for civic life and a belief in contributing to the community.
Before entering Parliament, I worked for more than 20 years in the law. I was for 15 years a barrister; skills that I apply now towards solving problems and delivering outcomes for my local community. I also served as Honorary Consul of Sweden for South Australia.
In Parliament, I’ve served as Speaker of the House of Assembly and as Minister for Planning and Local Government and exercised the powers and functions of the Attorney-General. I now continue as Shadow Attorney-General and as Shadow Minister for Child Protection, Aboriginal Affairs, Consumer and Business Services, and Multicultural Affairs.
In all of these areas, I am focused on practical reform. I want to improve outcomes and strengthen trust in the institutions that matter to people’s lives.
I am involved in many community groups, sporting clubs and local schools. The people at the heart of our community are a big part of what makes this region strong, and I’m proud to support them wherever I can.
Public life, to me, is about listening, doing the work, and staying grounded in the values that brought me here. I’m committed to serving the people of Heysen with integrity and to contributing to a fairer, more confident future for South Australia.
Heysen is my home, and I feel incredibly fortunate to represent this part of South Australia in Parliament.
The electorate stretches across almost 1,000 square kilometres of the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu regions. It includes more than 20 local communities — from Uraidla and Norton Summit in the north, to Stirling, Crafers, Aldgate, across to Hahndorf and down through Echunga, Meadows and Macclesfield to Ashbourne and Yundi. Each town has its own character, shaped by the efforts of local people and the landscape we share.
This part of the state is known for its natural beauty, but it’s also a region of enterprise, resilience and community spirit. Heysen is home to farmers, families, small business owners, artists, producers and volunteers. Many people commute elsewhere for work or study but choose to live here because of the lifestyle, the surroundings and the strong sense of connection.
I’ve always believed that good representation starts with being involved, not just showing up for events, but being part of the clubs, schools, and conversations that bring people together. Whether it’s a Saturday match at the local footy club, a meeting at the RSL, or a gathering of one of our environment and landcare groups, I learn the most by listening.
The Hills also face real challenges. Reliable transport, mobile coverage, local health services and housing affordability are all issues that affect families across the electorate. At the same time, we have enormous potential in sustainable agriculture, tourism, conservation and community development.
Heysen is named after the artist Hans Heysen, whose paintings captured the spirit of this landscape. But what gives this place its strength isn’t just the trees and hills. It’s the people — the volunteers, the small business owners, the carers and community leaders — who support one another and help make life better for those around them.
It’s an honour to represent this region. I’ll keep working hard to make sure your voices are heard, your concerns are acted on, and your communities are supported.
My focus is on practical improvements that make daily life easier, safer and more connected for people across the Adelaide Hills. These priorities reflect the issues I hear most often from local residents, community groups and businesses and they’re shaped by what matters to our region.
Safer roads and better transport connections
Traffic congestion, road safety and public transport are major concerns in our region. I’m advocating for better road infrastructure across key intersections, upgrades to dangerous and ageing roads, and expanded public transport access for communities that are currently underserved. We also need more park and ride options to ease pressure on town centres and support commuters.
Strengthening health, emergency and essential services
Growing communities need reliable, local services. I’m working to support our health facilities, including securing investment for hospitals and primary care. I’m also advocating for better access to emergency services, upgraded equipment and support for volunteers who play a critical role in fire safety and community resilience.
Supporting local clubs, facilities and community spaces
Our region is powered by volunteers, clubs and community groups. I’m backing upgrades to sporting facilities, shared spaces and recreation areas to make sure they can meet the needs of all ages and support local participation. Whether it’s lighting, changerooms, access improvements or shared-use infrastructure, these investments make a real difference in people’s lives.
Lorem Ipsum. Proin gravida nibh vel velit auctor aliquet. Aenean sollicitudin, lorem quis bibendum auctor, nisi elit consequat ipsum, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit.
Lorem Ipsum. Proin gravida nibh vel velit auctor aliquet. Aenean sollicitudin, lorem quis bibendum auctor, nisi elit consequat ipsum, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit.
Lorem Ipsum. Proin gravida nibh vel velit auctor aliquet. Aenean sollicitudin, lorem quis bibendum auctor, nisi elit consequat ipsum, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit.