Print this pageGeraldton Community Cabinet Meeting
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John Willcock College school captains welcome the Prime Minister on his arrival at the meeting.
On Thursday 1 October 2009, the Australian Government held its 16th Community Cabinet meeting at John Willcock College in Geraldton, Western Australia. This was the third Community Cabinet meeting held in Western Australia. Around 360 community members attended a public question-and-answer session with the Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers, followed by a series of meetings between individual ministers and members of the public.
School Principal Julie Campbell welcomed the community to the meeting, and Yvonne Radcliffe, a Naaguja elder, gave the Welcome to Yamiji Country. Music students from John Willcock College, Geraldton Secondary College, Geraldton Grammar and Geraldton Primary; Allendale, Beachlands and Mt Tarcoola Primary Schools entertained the gathering before the arrival of the Prime Minister and ministers. To open the public forum, Ashleigh Websdale, a Year 9 student from John Willcock College, sang the Australian National Anthem.
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, began his opening address with some information on the situations in Samoa and Indonesia following the tragic tsunami and earthquake. The Prime Minister reiterated the Government’s intention to keep in touch with the issues that concern all Australians, particularly in remote areas such as Geraldton.This included issues such as the pressure on health and hospital services and the challenge for the Government to ensure equitable health coverage across regional, rural and urban areas.The address ended with some observations by the Prime Minister on the global financial recession, following his attendance at the recent G20 meeting.
The Prime Minister and ministers answered a wide range of questions in the public forum. Issues raised included progress on local projects such as the Oakajee Port development and Australia’s bid for the Square Kilometre Array project, changes to the Youth Allowance and the effect on rural and remote students, native title claims, climate change and energy efficiency, and funding for the rock lobster fishing industry.
Following the forum, ministers moved to 50 pre-arranged one-on-one meetings. These meetings provided individuals with an opportunity to discuss a personal matter or an issue of concern directly with the relevant minister.
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