Regional Capitals Australia recently took regional advocacy to the nation’s capital, attending Parliament House during a sitting week to meet with the Government, Opposition and departmental officials.
Our board met with the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development the Hon Catherine King MP (pictured) to discuss the infrastructure demands on regional cities, particularly the financial constraints of managing and funding regional airports.
We also met with the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister to call for new safeguards to ensure regional communities are appropriately protected and consulted in the race to meet Australia’s renewable energy targets. The Board also met with the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to discuss community consultation standards for renewable energy projects.
The RCA delegation had productive discussions with the Office of the Hon Andrew Giles MP Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs regarding the migration review and the importance of regional visas and Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs). The Board also presented the RCA Airports Policy to the Federal Opposition, meeting with Hon Darren Chester MP Shadow Minister for Regional Development regarding regional aviation.
Image: Cr George Seymour Mayor Fraser Coast Regional Council, Cr Mathew Dickerson Mayor Dubbo Regional Council, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development the Hon Catherine King MP, Cr Kylie King Mayor Albury City Council, Cr Kellie O’Callaghan Mayor Latrobe City Council