Shire President and CEO travel to Canberra for advocacy talks

Published on 29 August 2024

Shire President Chris Mitchell and Chief Executive Sam Mastrolembo travelled to Canberra this month to meet with federal MPs to discuss a range of issues impacting Broome and the Kimberley.

The pair travelled as part of delegations representing the Kimberley Regional Group (KRG) and the Regional Capitals Alliance Western Australia (RCAWA).

While there, they arranged to discuss Shire of Broome-specific issues separately, including the housing crisis, with Shadow Minister for Housing Michael Sukkar (pictured with Mr Mastrolembo and Shire President Mitchell).

Another meeting was held with Durack MP Melissa Price to provide an update on the Walmanyjun Cable Beach Foreshore Redevelopment, Regional Resource Recovery Park (RRRP) and an update on the recent Kimberley Housing Roundtable.

With the KRG and/or RCAWA, they also met Shadow Minister for Infrastructure & Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie and discussed various issues including road funding and the need for a new highway bridge at Willare.

They also met with the Assistant Minister for Regional Development Senator Anthony Chisolm about housing grants and making the Financial Assistance Grant for local governments and Designated Area Migration Agreements fairer for regional areas.

Financial Assistance Grants were also discussed at meetings with Regional Development Minister Kristy McBain and Nationals MP Darren Chester.

Shire President Mitchell said that with a Federal Election looming, it was good to travel to the Nation’s capital to put Broome and Kimberley issues on the Federal political radar.