Today’s State Government Regional Community Forums have been exposed as a sham with the meetings closed to the community.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the Agnes Water forum will only have one community member present. *
“The Collins dictionary definition of ‘community forum’ indicated it is where a group of people who live in a particular area meet to discuss important public issues,” he said.
“Today’s meeting will only have one person attending from the 1770 and Agnes Water area, so how does this equate to a fair and reasonable discussion with the community?”
Mr Bennett said it’s now more important than ever the State Government listens to the people on the ground.
“On learning of the Regional Community Forum roadshow, I was thrilled to hear it would be coming to Agnes Water.
“But it wasn’t long before I discovered it would only be open to 20 pre-approved people from a very large area across Central Queensland or the Wide Bay.
“This was a chance for our community to ask questions on some important local issues around the proposed Multi-Purpose Health Service, roads, schools, serious emerging environmental concerns and future developments.
“Once again, we have been let down by this government who is determined to keep secrets and gag the truth.
“Democracy is of the people, by the people and for the people.
“It’s a way of governing which depends wholly on the will of the people.
“When a government begins to constrain, hand-pick and discern their ‘people’, serious red-flags should be raised.
“I’m calling on State Labor to stop the façade and start listening to the people who expect so much more from their governments.”
ENDS.
* Source: https://campaigns.premiers.qld.gov.au/advancing-qld-regions/central-qld.aspx
11/07/2022