Jobs generating infrastructure projects and policy levers to support North Queensland’s health, social and economic recovery and resilience will be high on the agenda when Townsville Enterprise, TaskforceNQ, regional mayors join business representatives on a delegation to Brisbane during the next Queensland Parliament Sitting Week.
TaskforceNQ, North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NQROC) and Townsville Enterprise will travel to Brisbane from 11-13 August to advocate for a range of policies and projects that can play a critical role in assisting North Queensland recover from the impacts of COVID-19. This will be articulated across a three-day meeting and event schedule engaging with the Queensland Government, Opposition and minor parties.
The meeting program will also include an event at Parliament House on the Wednesday evening with invitations extended to several MPs across the political landscape. The event will provide North Queensland project proponents, stakeholders and business representatives the opportunity to directly engage with our state’s political leaders leading up to the 2020 State Election.
The three-day deputation will see representatives meet with the Premier and her Cabinet, Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington and her shadow ministry, as well as Leader of the Katter’s Australian Party Robbie Katter, NQ First, One Nation and the Greens. Across the meeting program, the delegation will promote the robust pipeline of projects and key policies in North Queensland that can not only ensure a strong future and sustained job creation for the region but support Queensland’s long-term economic recovery.
Queensland is less than 100 days out from the State Election, and as our state, nation and globe grapples with the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, public funds have never been more competitive. The aim of the delegation is to place North Queensland at the forefront of crucial decision making ahead of the looming election.
North Queensland local governments, businesses and Townsville Enterprise will put forward a united voice in lobbying for our region, as now more than ever every dollar and every job counts in the COVID-19 environment. The continued focus on economic recovery is critical to the future of North Queensland and the partnership between business and Government has never been more important.
We acknowledge the State Government for standing up across this dual health and economic crisis and providing valuable support to weather the storm, but as a united voice we will be making a strong case for targeted investment and policy support to ensure the North not only recovers but emerges stronger than ever.
The coordination of this program has been supported by local State Government MPs Minister Coralee O’Rourke, Scott Stewart and Aaron Harper, as well as the Member for Burdekin Dale Last, Member for Traeger Robbie Katter and Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto and we thank them for their assistance.
We will continue to maintain a watching brief on potential impacts of COVID-19 on the delegation and will be developing a contingency plan to transition the meeting program to a potential digital format if necessary.
