by Shane Sody

Senate candidate Rex Patrick has promised that if he’s elected this year, he’ll be a “Senator for the Adelaide Park Lands” to advance the case for World Heritage listing.

Mr Patrick is running in this year’s election for the Jacquie Lambie Network. Ms Lambie was also in Adelaide today to help Mr Patrick draw attention to the attacks and threats that are repeatedly chipping away at your Park Lands.

*Jacqui Lambie and Rex Patrick in your Adelaide Park Lands. Photo: Matt Turner/AAP*

The pair chose to make their announcement at the controversial State Government building site on Denise Norton Park / Pardipardinyilla (Park 2) in North Adelaide - where in November 2023 the Government broke four of its own promises, and ignored thousands of pleas, to destroy hundreds of mature trees.

This site was chosen for the Patrick / Lambie campaign event because it is a symbol of poor decision-making, an example of the lack of any legal protection for your Park Lands.

Rex Patrick and Jacqui Lambie say that they want to elevate your Park Lands into an election issue. At today’s campaign event, Mr Patrick said:

“The Adelaide Park Lands …. is in grave jeopardy from State Governments past, present and future using what they consider ‘free land’ for their pet political projects. The Park Lands need a political champion if we are to preserve this unique heritage,”

Senator Lambie added:

“The Adelaide Park Lands are unique in the world. What I’d give to have parklands like this in Hobart or Launceston - I’m jealous with envy. Every time I come to Adelaide, I’m conscious that I can’t come into the CBD without passing through a park. It’s amazing and it has to be preserved. We can’t have Government treating as their own playground when it’s the people playground.”

The Adelaide Park Lands Association is apolitical. Our members and supporters hope that ALL political parties and candidates will be vying with each other to better protect your unique heritage; the garland of your irreplaceable Park Lands.

Realistically, there is little that any candidate in a federal election can do to obtain better protection for your Park Lands. It is primarily a role for the State Government, which:

Nevertheless, the Association welcomes this campaign promise.

The Association has also welcomed initiatives by The Greens in the State Parliament, where proposed laws that would protect your Park Lands have passed the Legislative Council, without the support of SA Labor members.

Rex Patrick has also accepted an invitation to be the guest speaker at the Adelaide Park Lands Association Annual General Meeting on Sunday 27 April 2025.

See this story in The Canberra Times:

Senate hopeful vows to keep 'pet projects' off parkland (21 February, 2025)

Park Lands Senator?

Related stories: