Published Monday, 21 July, 2008 at 05:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Women’s symposium to focus on improving rural lifestyle
Issues affecting women in rural and regional Queensland will be on the agenda for discussion at the inaugural Rural Women’s Symposium, which will be attended by Premier Anna Bligh.
Ms Bligh will officially open the 4 September event and will also attend the pre-symposium dinner on 3 September to mix with rural attendees and hear from them first-hand the issues they face in rural and regional Queensland.
“This symposium is an exciting opportunity for the State Government, through the Blueprint for the Bush, to give women a greater say in the future of our rural and regional areas,” Ms Bligh said.
“Women have always played a vital role in rural areas and the forum, along with the consultation workshops that have preceded the forum, will ensure their active involvement into the future.
“Also, by developing closer ties with women and their families in the bush, the government can tap into their ideas for improving the liveability and sustainability of our regional communities.”
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the symposium, which originally had been scheduled for August 29 then moved because of stakeholder unavailability, would focus on what could be done to improve the lifestyle opportunities for women and children living in rural communities.
“More than 300 women have already attended consultation workshops around the state to help develop the agenda for the inaugural symposium in Roma,” Mr Pitt said.
“We also received more than 230 detailed submissions via hardcopy and online, identifying many issues that interested community members thought should be addressed.”
Expressions of interest to attend the symposium as a community delegate have now closed and key discussion themes are being finalised.
These symposiums will be held each year for three years in various regional centres.
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500;Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Ms Bligh will officially open the 4 September event and will also attend the pre-symposium dinner on 3 September to mix with rural attendees and hear from them first-hand the issues they face in rural and regional Queensland.
“This symposium is an exciting opportunity for the State Government, through the Blueprint for the Bush, to give women a greater say in the future of our rural and regional areas,” Ms Bligh said.
“Women have always played a vital role in rural areas and the forum, along with the consultation workshops that have preceded the forum, will ensure their active involvement into the future.
“Also, by developing closer ties with women and their families in the bush, the government can tap into their ideas for improving the liveability and sustainability of our regional communities.”
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the symposium, which originally had been scheduled for August 29 then moved because of stakeholder unavailability, would focus on what could be done to improve the lifestyle opportunities for women and children living in rural communities.
“More than 300 women have already attended consultation workshops around the state to help develop the agenda for the inaugural symposium in Roma,” Mr Pitt said.
“We also received more than 230 detailed submissions via hardcopy and online, identifying many issues that interested community members thought should be addressed.”
Expressions of interest to attend the symposium as a community delegate have now closed and key discussion themes are being finalised.
These symposiums will be held each year for three years in various regional centres.
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500;Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819