Around the table - June 2022
One Gippsland meets with Harriet Shing MP
In the lead up to the federal election our Board has worked closely with both the Federal Government and the Opposition to champion the strategic challenges facing Gippsland. This included the opportunity to brief incoming Cabinet Ministers the Hon Jason Clare MP and Hon Catherine King MP to discuss regional services and infrastructure.
Tourism
The recovery of the tourism and special events industry is a high priority as booking numbers across the region continue to lag. The board had a productive meeting with then Shadow Minister for Sport and Tourism Senator the Hon Don Farrell MP to discuss a number of priority tourism projects as outlined in our Pre Budget Submission. We look forward to working closely with the Senator in his new Ministerial portfolio with responsibilities of Trade, Tourism and Special Minister of State to progress these important issues.
Digital Connectivity
Digital connectivity continues to be a major issue across our region - an issue we have raised with new Cabinet Ministers the Hon Jason Clare MP and the Hon Catherine King MP. We look forward to our region taking advantage of the Australian Labor Party’s Better Connectivity for Rural and Regional Australia Plan.
Freight, Roads and Ports
The Hon Melissa Horne, State Minister for Ports and Freight and Fishing and Boating, accepted our suggestion of a visit to the region. Her travels included East Gippsland to see firsthand the issues in our local ports. Our team also briefed the Office of the Hon Ben Carroll MP, the Victorian Minister for Public Transport, Roads and Road Safety. We highlighted several road projects that are of strategic importance to the region. We were pleased to see some of our priorities (link to budget release) funded in the state budget after our initial briefings.
Food and Fibre
We were pleased to have a fruitful discussion with the Hon Mary-Anne Thomas MP Victorian Minister for Regional Development and Agriculture on key enablers for the agriculture industry, including housing, digital connectivity and education/skills.
One Gippsland meets with the Hon Mary-Anne Thomas MP Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development
Local Priorities
We continue to work closely with members of Parliament from both sides of the chamber and both levels of government, hosting productive meetings with Russell Broadbent MP the Federal Member for Monash, Tim Bull MP the State Member for Gippsland East, Darren Chester MP the Federal Member for Gippsland and Harriet Shing MP the State Member for Eastern Victoria.
One Gippsland meets with the Opposition Roundtable
We also hosted a highly successful round table event, with State Opposition Shadow Ministers and local members attending for a focused meeting on Gippsland’s priorities across various portfolios.