Print this pageCampbelltown Community Cabinet Meeting
On Tuesday, 17th February 2009, the Australian Government held its first Community Cabinet meeting for the year in Campbelltown, New South Wales. The Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers met over 400 community members at the Campbelltown Performing Arts High School. A broad range of issues were discussed and individual matters were raised with ministers. It was the second time that the Government had held a Community Cabinet in the South-West region of Sydney.
Campbelltown Performing Arts High School students provided a spectacular show for the assembled crowd. School Principal, Robyn Pulbrook commenced the formalities of the evening introducing Dharawal Elder Glenda Chalker who provided the Welcome to Country. Following this, Year 11 Campbelltown Performing Arts High School student, James Cassar led the ministers and community in the national anthem.
Introduced by Campbelltown City Mayor, Cr Russell Matheson, the Prime Minister addressed the public forum, outlining the challenges posed by the global financial crisis and the importance of a government leading from the front to ensure that the impact on Australia is limited. Mr Rudd identified a number of local projects supporting job and infrastructure growth that had received federal government support. He noted in particular: the widening of the F5 Motorway and the provision of $4 million to support the upgrading of playgrounds across the Camden area; the development of a new Community Centre at Tahmoor; and funding for the Woodlands Baseball Complex. Mr Rudd went on to praise the generous support provided to the victims of the Victorian bushfires by the Campbelltown City Council, local schools and businesses.
In the spirited public forum that followed, the Prime Minister and ministers responded to a broad range of questions from the community. Questions touched upon a number local and national challenges including: the environmental impact of mining on local rivers; the current condition of the NSW state public health service; TAFE funding; the monitoring of ATM bank fees; and the need for training of additional doctors in the area.
Following the public forum ministers held over 60 pre-arranged one-on-one meetings with individuals and groups from the local community. This provided an opportunity for members of the community to discuss particular matters of concern directly with the relevant ministers.
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Photos on this page provided by AUSPIC.