Pre-Election Wish List
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Mayors and CEOs from across the far north are currently in Canberra making sure their communities are not forgotten ahead of the of the upcoming Federal election.
Cook Shire Council Mayor Peter Scott led the Far North Queensland Regional of Councils (FNQROC) delegation to the Nation’s capital to deliver the pre-election wish list.
Chair of FNQROC and Mareeba Shire Mayor Tom Gilmore said the purpose of the delegation is to advocate as a united voice. “This delegation provides FNQROC with an opportunity to meet with over 20 elected members and 9 policy advisors to remind them of who we are, who we represent and advocate for the agreed priorities for the region that are important for growth,” he said.
“With an election poised for May, this is the most effective way of engaging all our members in a short timeframe to get our collective messages across to both sides of parliament.”
While Mayor Tom Gilmore was unable to attend the delegation, he was simply thrilled that the group had met with Prime Minister the Hon Scott Morrison MP. “As the Chair of FNQROC I am delighted with the response the delegation has received in Canberra,” he said.
“This of course, is not the first trip to Canberra and will not be the last. We will continue to have two delegations a year to both Canberra and Brisbane to ensure our community represented by Local Government is recognised and our priorities are understood.
“It is imperative we continue to operate on behalf of our communities, so priorities are considered for State and Federal annual budgets.”
The delegation was given the opportunity to put forward FNQROC’s election priorities which include the upgrade of the Kuranda Range Road, water security, expansion of the National Land Transport Network and the future of the Mossman Mill, amongst others.
“As remote Local Government areas in Australia, we are determined to no longer simply be passengers in representing the people and we will continue robust dialogue with Government and Opposition well into the future,” Mayor Tom Gilmore said.
“Thank you to Federal Member for Leichhardt, the Hon Warren Entsch for helping to facilitate these meetings in Canberra particularly with the Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia and Treasurer the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP,” Cr Gilmore concluded.