SWQROC delegation to Canberra

SWQROC members had productive discussions throughout the two-day schedule in Canberra meeting with elected representatives, ministerial advisors and industry CEOs. With the Federal Budget on the horizon, it was a great opportunity to raise the profile of South West Queensland (SWQ), build networks and hear more from our national leaders.

The delegation met with key Ministers, Senators and Opposition Members to raise support for our local issues such as rising insurance premiums, funding for Country University Centres, carbon farming impacts, transition to net zero, as well as the Murray Darling water buybacks, and our current housing crisis.

We also met with Brendan Moon, CEO of the National Emergency Management Agency to discuss disaster management as well as the National Finance and Investment Corporation to discuss potential solutions to the housing crisis in SWQ.

The visit included a dinner meeting with Liz de Chastel, then Interim CEO of the Australian Local Government Association and Kim Houghton, Chief Economist for the Regional Australia Institute to discuss advocacy goals in the lead up to the Federal Budget and the new National Alliance for Regionalisation.

SWQROC was also involved in a Canberra delegation as part of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils earlier in the month.