The Nationals Regional Listening Tour kicked off in Queensland last week, starting in Dawson, with leaders and MPs of the National Party meeting with locals across the region, to hear about the issues affecting them.
The Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox hosted the listening tour in Ayr, Bowen and Mackay, welcoming Leader of the Nationals the Hon David Littleproud, Deputy Leader Senator Perin Davey, Member for Capricornia the Hon Michelle Landry and Senator for Queensland Senator the Hon Matthew Canavan.
Mr Willcox said the purpose of the tour is to highlight to our leadership the views of people in Dawson, focusing particularly on the issues affecting women across the district.
“I’m not interested in bringing the news from Canberra to Dawson,” Mr Willcox said.
“My focus is to take Dawson’s concerns to Canberra. That’s the way it should be.
“I’m out and about talking to the people each and every day and that is why I am delighted to be joined by the Leader and Deputy Leader of my party in our great region,” Mr Willcox said.
“In the Nationals, we’re about finding practical solutions that are made to order for the people in the regions. We’re particularly focussing on solutions for issues like affordability and more importantly availability of child care for our working mums and dads.
“Regional and rural Australia does so much for our country. This is where our food and fibre come from. It’s where our energy is produced. When regions like Dawson are strong, all of Australia is strong. That’s why I’ve spent the last couple of days touring with the Leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, and Deputy Leader, Senator Perin Davey, to hear the concerns firsthand.”
The tour builds on community consultation throughout Victoria and New South Wales, and will continue into broader Central Queensland.
Dawson’s Listening Tour finished in Mackay at the Dispensary Café with a women’s networking event. Photos: Office of Andrew Willcox MP