United Western Queensland delegation to Canberra
Representatives from SWQROC joined Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) colleagues as part of leadership group delegations to State and Federal government on 8-9 March 2023.
During the two day schedule the delegation met with State Minister, Federal Ministers and Senators and ministerial staff to discuss priority issues.
Transport & Roads
Representing the 22 councils of Western Queensland, the WQAC Leadership Group delegation met with Minister Mark Bailey MP today as part of a two-day deputation in Brisbane and Canberra.
The group continued their advocacy on key priorities for the region with discussions with Minister Bailey including the development of a Western Queensland Priority Roads Network, Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) update, and Queensland State Budget and TIDS Funding.
We thank Minister Bailey and his team for their time today and look forward to continuing to work with the Annastacia Palaszczuk MP government to deliver for the West.
Housing & digital connectivity
Our Leadership Group delegation was pleased to meet with Leeanne Enoch MP, Minister for Communities and Housing, and Minister for Digital Economy.
The Western Queensland Alliance of Councils has been hard at work developing Local Housing Action Plans for each of our 22 local government areas, undertaken in partnership with the Queensland Government to tackle housing challenges in our region. We provided an update to the Minister on their development, insights from the process and some of the local housing solutions that will meet the individual needs of local communities.
Connectivity in our region was also on the agenda with discussions on WQAC's Digital Connectivity Blueprint and the Queensland Government’s Digital Infrastructure Plan.
Many thanks to the Minister and her team for taking the time to meet with us today. We hope to welcome the Minister to Western Queensland in September for WQAC's 2023 Assembly in Winton.
Regional development & education
First up in Canberra, the delegation met, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Assistant Minister for Education.
It was to catch up to discuss some of the top issues in our region including housing. As we undertake the massive task of delivering 22 Local Housing Action Plans we updated Senator Chisholm on this issue and our progress, as well as opportunities for federal initiatives.
Regional development & local government
The delegation met with Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, at Parliament House.
During our meeting we discussed regional issues including housing and the development of our Local Housing Action Plans, as well as program and project opportunities in Western Queensland.
Health & aged care
As part of our meeting schedule today, we met with advisors to Minister Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler MP, to discuss health services and Medicare reform in rural and remote areas.
Our rural and remote communities often struggle to receive the health care they deserve, facing vast distances, under resourcing and skyrocketing costs. We appreciate the opportunity to discuss these critical issues with the Minister's team.