Barcaldine forum to focus on regional vaccinations

Barcaldine today will host the fourth and final Regional Community Forum for the Western Queensland region for 2021, with local forum members, Ministers and Members of Parliament to work on increasing vaccination rates to protect the region from COVID-19.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said since 2019 the forums have been a platform to elevate regional voices in the State, and the local community representatives could now help to increase vaccination rates.  

“With just weeks to go until our border reopens and greater freedoms flow for vaccinated Queenslanders, we are getting the message out – vaccines are safe, effective and our best defence against COVID-19,” the Premier said.

“We want to ensure people living and working in regional Queensland are fully vaccinated to protect their health and the health of their family, friends and community.

“That’s why the vaccine rollout and sharing the opportunities that come with reopening our State will be a key focus of the final round of Regional Community Forums for 2021.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said other local leaders including Hospital and Health Service representatives have also been invited to all seven forums today to focus on the health and economic benefits of vaccinations.

“The Palaszczuk Government values the contributions that forum members make as community leaders,” she said.

“So now we ask them to do what they do best – help us to ensure more of our communities are vaccinated.”

Barcaldine will host Western Queensland forum members, with Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner and Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch.

Forum chair and Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd said today's eighth round of Regional Community Forums will also be the last for existing forum members, with their terms to conclude at the end of 2021.

“Forum members can be enormously proud of their broad and ambitious contributions to Western Queensland,” Ms Boyd said.

“Finding local solutions to local issues has always been a driving force.

“Our forum members have been heavily invested in the future prosperity and liveability of the region, whether that means increasing access to business support, attracting skilled and non-skilled workers, or promoting our historical and Indigenous tourism attractions.

“By engaging in this program, our forum members gave provided Government with invaluable feedback, forged new partnerships and opened up exciting new avenues for change.”

Expressions of interest for new members on the Regional Community Forums can be made on the Advancing Queensland’s Regions website.

Regional Community Forums will also be held today in Far North Queensland, North-North West Queensland, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, Central Queensland, Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast and Darling Downs-South West Queensland.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Minister Furner – Ron Goodman 0427 781 920

Minister Enoch – Naomi Lewis 0437 859 987