Talking Economic Reform in Our Region

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Ipswich & West Moreton, joined Federal Member for Blair, The Hon Shayne Neumann MP, at the Blair Economic Reform Roundtable to put forward key local priorities, spanning demographics, workforce, housing, transport, and quality of life.

Rees Banks, Chair of the Springfield Regional Jobs Committee, joined Cr Nicole Jonic, Deputy Mayor of Ipswich and Chair of RDA Ipswich & West Moreton, and Cr Sally Jess in representing the region’s interests. Together with the University of Southern Queensland and RDA Darling Downs & South West Chair Rouz Fard, they emphasised the importance of skilling, training pathways, and workforce development as the foundation of sustainable regional growth. The discussion underscored how investment in tertiary education, vocational training, and industry-led skilling initiatives is essential to building a job-ready workforce that can meet the demands of a rapidly growing economy.

The event brought together businesses, unions, community groups, government agencies, and policy experts to address shared challenges and explore new opportunities for Ipswich, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and surrounding communities.

Attendees also heard from Assistant Treasurer Dr Daniel Mulino, who outlined the Australian Government’s reform agenda, and Everald Compton, whose keynote on intergenerational partnerships inspired discussion about building inclusive and resilient futures.

The key outcomes of the roundtable will be collated and presented to Treasurer Jim Chalmers MP ahead of the national Economic Reform Roundtable later this month, ensuring that the voice of our region is represented at the highest level of government policy-making.