Print this pageEmerald Community Cabinet Meeting
On Tuesday 21 May 2009, the Australian Government held its 12th Community Cabinet meeting at Emerald Secondary College in Emerald, Victoria. 521 community members registered to attend a public question-and-answer session with the Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers. This was followed by a series of meetings between individual ministers and community members to discuss matters of interest or concern.
Music and dance students of the Emerald Secondary College gave wonderful performances to entertain the assembling crowd before the meeting started, with Amelia Maclean and the College choir opening the public forum with the Australian National Anthem. Refreshments for the evening were also provided by the College’s students.
Mr Wayne Burgess, Principal of Emerald Secondary College, welcomed the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. Ms Joy Murphy AO, an elder of the Wurundjeri people, welcomed the Cabinet ministers to the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri on which Emerald is located.
Following an introduction by Mr Burgess, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd spoke for a short period, during which he emphasised the Government’s ongoing commitment to holding Community Cabinets across the country as a means of remaining in touch with the community and responding to community needs. Mr Rudd outlined the Government’s approach to the current economic challenges through global, national and local measures. He noted that the Government placed particular importance on local involvement, with key projects identified through working with local communities.
The public forum that followed was lively and good natured. The Prime Minister and various Cabinet ministers answered a broad array of questions that touched on local and national challenges. Among the matters raised were weed management in the Dandenong Ranges, increasing the number of TAFE teachers and apprentices, the Government’s agenda for moving Australia to a republic, the means test on foster carers, standardising solar energy rebates and Australia’s military involvement in Afghanistan.
Following the forum, ministers moved to various school rooms for 49 pre-arranged one-on-one meetings. The meetings provided individuals with an opportunity to discuss particular matters of concern directly with Cabinet ministers. The next Community Cabinet meeting will be announced shortly. Please check the website regularly for information regarding upcoming Community Cabinet meetings.
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