Print this pageRedcliffe Peninsula Community Cabinet Meeting
The Australian Government held its 25th Community Cabinet meeting on the evening of Thursday 2 December 2010 at Clontarf Beach State High School in Clontarf, on the Redcliffe Peninsula, Queensland. This was the fifth Community Cabinet meeting held in Queensland. The rain held off while around 317 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.
The Clontarf Beach State High School wind ensemble and stage band entertained the public forum before the arrival of the Prime Minister and ministers. Students from the school also assisted in preparing and serving refreshments. The Principal of the school, Lisa Starmer, then welcomed the community to the meeting. Maroochy Baramba, elder of the Ningy Ningy clan of the Turrbal people, gave the Welcome to Country. Luseanne Lopeti , Vice Captain of the school, sang the Australian National Anthem.
The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, in her opening address, spoke about the importance the government continues to place on hearing the views of the community and incorporating them into national decision making. She noted the Government's commitment to strengthening Australia's economy by bringing the Budget back to surplus in 2012-2013, increasing national savings, and developing infrastructure. The Prime Minister was pleased to confirm Government funding for the Moreton Bay Rail Link, first proposed by the State Government one hundred years ago.
The Prime Minister touched on the need to tackle the challenge of climate change by addressing issues such as putting a price on carbon, sustainable water use and energy sources for the future. She also drew attention to the Government's focus on Building the Education Revolution because great schools are crucial to a fair society.
The Prime Minister and ministers answered questions from the floor in the public forum. As has been the case at previous Community Cabinet meetings, these questions covered a wide range of issues. They included providing specialist health services to the Redcliffe Peninsula, public access to marine parks, a national apology for the past practice of forcibly removing babies at birth for adoption, the protection of Hayes Inlet, greater broadband access, and increasing Australia's foreign aid budget to support the world's poorest.
Following the forum, ministers moved to 45 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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