In early July 2024, the Hunter JO Board of Mayors embarked on a series of meetings at Parliament House in Canberra, to communicate the shared interests and concerns of the Hunter’s communities at the federal level. Over four intensive days, eighteen meetings were conducted with Federal Members of Parliament to advocate for our region’s needs.

These meetings included sixteen sessions with key Ministers and Shadow Ministers, aimed at fostering constructive dialogue on critical issues such as the region’s economic evolution beyond coal, housing, transport, re-use of mining lands, circular economy, tourism and disaster resilience. Additionally, two discussions were held with local MPs, highlighting our collaborative approach to addressing regional challenges.

Among these engagements was a productive session with Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell, alongside representatives from Newcastle Airport, reflecting our shared commitment to enhancing regional infrastructure to leverage the investment in the airport upgrade, and economic vitality.

Throughout these interactions, the presence of the Chair (Mayor Sue Moore) or Deputy Chair (Mayor Jay Suvaal) of the Hunter JO was consistent, ensuring a unified voice and strategic direction in our advocacy efforts. More broadly the meetings featured Mayoral representation from across the region, demonstrating the strong alignment right across the Hunter JO Board on the region’s key issues and priorities.

These sessions not only strengthened our relationships with federal decision-makers but reaffirmed our dedication to amplifying local voices on the national stage and to securing a prosperous future for our communities through proactive engagement and collaborative leadership.

Stay tuned for further updates on the outcomes and next steps stemming from these productive exchanges as we continue to champion our community’s interests in Canberra and beyond.

For more information please email Kim Carland: kimc@hunterjo.com.au