Shire takes advocacy to Canberra
In mid-2024, Council on behalf of the Peninsula community attended meetings with federal decision-makers in Canberra, bringing attention to our most important advocacy priorities.
Mayor Simon Brooks joined CEO of Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula, Josh Sinclair, at Parliament House to pursue our shared advocacy interests with federal Ministers and their staff. Topics discussed included the Port of Hastings surplus land, the proposed Victorian Government Renewable Energy Terminal project, social and affordable housing and the homelessness crisis.
The Mayor also joined the Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) council delegation, in addition to further meetings with Ministers and their staff. This included an event at Parliament House for the launch of the GSEM Jobs and Skills Roadmap. The Roadmap was launched by Brendon O’Connor, Minister for Skills and Training. The event was attended by a host of politicians including Deputy Prime Minister - Richard Marles, Minister for Transport, Regional Development and Local Government - Catherine King, Minister for Home Affairs - Claire O’Neill and local members Jodie Belyea and Zoe McKenzie.
Council continued its presence in Canberra at the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly (NGA) in the first week of July, attended by over 1200 representatives from across Australia’s 537 councils. The focus of the NGA event this year was building community trust across all three levels of government.
All five of the Shire’s motions to the NGA were accepted. Our motions addressed funding for roads infrastructure, social and affordable housing, homelessness, financial sustainability of local government and climate change. The federal government will use submissions made by local government areas to improve the impact of federal policies and programs for communities and businesses across Australia.
The Shire also hosted two round table meetings with several other councils from across Australia, to discuss shared challenges regarding short stay accommodation and coastal climate change issues. We will progress this advocacy with the federal government.
Our time in Canberra was very productive with Councillors and Shire staff meeting with:
- Minister for Environment, Tanya Plibersek’s office staff
- Minister for Housing, Julie Collin’s office staff
- Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Bridget McKenzie
- Senator, Jane Hume
- Senator, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Jenny McAllister
- Minister for Local Government and Regional Development, the Hon Kristy McBain
- Federal member for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie MP
- Federal member for Dunkley, Jodie Belyea MP