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Connie Bonaros

Connie Bonaros

It's not about the left or right of politics – it's about what's right or wrong.
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SA-BEST, unlike the others, isn’t shackled by blind ideology, political factions or vested interests. We're about delivering practical solutions to our state's many, many problems. And over the past 6 years, we have done just that!
 

We are ready, willing and more than able to work with anyone who has SA's best interests at heart.

Support those who support you – your communities, your industries, your jobs and your families. Join with us to help transform our state for the better as SA-BEST continues to bring about positive change to SA.

Our Young People

Health

Business

Fisheries

Gambling

Restorative Justice and the Law

Gender Equality

Our Seniors
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Connie Bonaros was elected as a Member of the Legislative Council in 2018, although her political career – across both state and federal levels - started 14 years earlier, firstly as a senior adviser to Nick Xenophon and later as Chief of Staff to Senator Stirling Griff.

Connie is a member of a number of Parliamentary Committees. She is the Chair of the Select Committee on Health Services, which continues to unearth systemic failures across the state’s health system. Connie also chairs the Select Committee on Return to Work. She sits on the Legislative Review Committee, which is tasked with scrutinising subordinate legislation, and more recently has joined the Select Committee on Water Supply Needs of Eyre Peninsula.  

Connie considers her work with asbestos victims in successfully advocating for, and the subsequent passage of, legislation establishing the South Australian Dust Diseases Tribunal, as one of her most valuable contributions.

She’s also a staunch advocate for child protection, criminal and social justice issues, and her long-standing policy platform on problem gambling. 

Connie’s also passionate about grassroots campaigns which continue to drive her to fight for change over nearly two decades.
 

Connie's legislative achievements:

  • Banned individuals charged with a child sex offence from working in settings where children and young people under 18 are present without explicit exemption from a bail authority;
  • Established an inquiry by the Equal Opportunity Commissioner into harassment, including sexual harassment, in the legal profession;
  • Explicitly criminalised the non-consensual removal of a condom during sex known as ‘stealthing’;
  • Major reforms to the Coroners Act, including the requirement of a government response to recommendations and next of kin legal representation;
  • Amendments to the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 to remove archaic exemptions for Members of Parliament and the judiciary;
  • Banned the sale of LPG bottles without a warning label about the risk of death or serious injury when inhaled;
  • Criminalised child-like sex dolls;
  • Instant loss of licence (ILOL) laws for drug driving;
  • Provided for increased training requirements for novice motorbike riders (young and returning riders);
  • Banned the use of spit-hoods in all detention settings;
  • Implemented a Donor Conception Register;
  • Superannuation choice of fund laws to allow South Australian public servants and public sector employees the ability to choose;
  • Mandatory drug rehabilitation programs for minors;
  • Passed laws significantly increasing penalties for the sale illicit tobacco

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𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸, 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻-𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗭𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲, 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮. I represented South Australia's Legislative Review Committee, a body tasked with ensuring that subordinate legislation—such as Regulations, Rules, and Council By-Laws—is properly scrutinised. Every Wednesday during sitting weeks, the Committee meets (and sometimes extra when needed!) to review a packed agenda of subordinate legislation. It’s always a big task, but ensuring proper scrutiny of these laws is crucial for transparency, accountability, and good governance. For those unfamiliar, subordinate legislation often flies under the radar, but it’s where almost 90% of our laws are made. The Committee’s work is vital. If consultation processes aren’t followed, or if adequate information isn’t reported, or there are matters which unduly trespass on established legal rights or are inconsistent with natural justice principles, the committee may investigate further. In some cases, we file a notice of disallowance which is subsequently voted on by the parliament, making it invalid. The conference was full of insights and examples of how to do it better. I’m excited to bring these ideas back to the committee and parliament to strengthen how we oversee and improve the law-making process in South Australia. This week, my motion for an inquiry into loneliness unanimously passed in the Legislative Council. This is a significant step toward addressing one of the most pressing social challenges of our time. Over the summer break, I look forward to meaningful discussions with the government on the most effective way to prioritise and tackle this important matter. 🎙️ Missed my radio interview last week? I had the opportunity to discuss loneliness and the work I'm doing to address it. You can listen to the full interview here. #Loneliness Earlier today, I had the privilege of attending Asbestos Victims Memorial Day, a time to honour and remember those who have tragically lost their lives to asbestos-related diseases. As a patron of the Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia (ADSSA), I laid flowers in their memory and reflected on the incredible individuals whose lives have been cut short by this devastating issue. It remains my unwavering priority to advocate for victims of dust diseases and to push for the eradication of asbestos from our schools and community buildings. I am fully committed to continue to work tirelessly to ensure safer environments for everyone. My bill, which mandates the removal of all asbestos from the land, buildings and facilities of all Government schools and preschools by 31 December 2034 is currently on the Legislative Council Notice Paper. I look forward to progressing it in the new year to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our kids and school communities. #AsbestosVictimsMemorialDay #community #SouthAustralia Today, I felt deeply privileged to take my seat in the Legislative Council as the State First Nations Voice delivered its inaugural address to a joint sitting of parliament. Every word that needed to be uttered was uttered - by Presiding Member of the First Nations Voice to Parliament, Leeroy Bilney. Never have I been more impacted in that place before. You’ve made us all proud, Leeroy. Bless you. I truly believe a voice that carries the wisdom of Elders, strengthens communities, and ensures children stay connected to family and culture is vital for creating a stronger future that respects and uplifts all generations. 🎙️ It’s the final countdown… maybe! Today marks the beginning of what we expect to be the final parliamentary sitting week of the year. There’s an optional sitting week next week, which the government can decide to utilise depending on how much of their agenda we deal with this week. 💼 What is a parliamentary sitting week? The Legislative Council (my chamber) and the House of Assembly debate and pass bills. These bills may amend existing Acts or establish new ones, but to become law, they must pass both chambers. The government overwhelmingly has the numbers in the House of Assembly, leaving it to the Legislative Council to ensure our laws are properly scrutinised and robust. This is where the crossbench (members of minor parties and independents) is so important!! 📅 What happens each day? Tuesdays & Thursdays: Typically reserved for government business. Wednesdays: Dedicated to private members' business. In busy weeks like this one, the schedule can shift to ensure we get through the agenda. Usually, the Legislative Council starts at 2:15 PM, but some weeks we may kick off earlier on Wednesdays and Thursdays and sit well into the evening on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to tackle the workload. Tomorrow is a special day with the State First Nations Voice providing its inaugural address to a joint sitting of both Houses - which will take place in the Legislative Council. I am also taking my motion for an inquiry into loneliness to a vote. Stay tuned….things are busy. Way too many laughs with the Godfather of indigenous comedy @seanchoolburra at The South Australian Aboriginal Building and Civil Construction Academy Empower and Employ Gala. Thanks for having me! Mate, what a smile - My cheeks are still hurting! 😂
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