Central Australia
I believe this to be a crucial portfolio for the people of Central Australia. It encourages voices and issues that assist to inform broader government perspectives. This region represents a very significant ‘chunk’ of the Northern Territory providing a substantial infrastructure that services vast areas of the rural and remote Northern Territory. Alice Springs, as a regional services hub hosting the largest regional population within the NT, is integral to the implementation of government programs. It is indeed rich in essence with regard to it’s people and it’s physical resources. Developing partnerships with commercial and corporate enterprises helps to build infrastructure and provide employment. The cultural mix we enjoy here may make us very diverse in some ways though more aligned in others.
Whilst essentially a symbolic portfolio with no dedicated budget and no public sector agency that it reports to, this role relies entirely on the incumbent Minister to proactively promote the issues of and for all Centralians to parliamentary colleagues. The Minister has the task of influencing his/her cabinet colleagues as to the importance, diversity and wealth of the region. It is a role that I would relish, in time, if offered the opportunity. Independent MLAs cannot be appointed as Ministers but at the discretion of any incumbent government, they can be appointed to particular portfolios.
It is strategically important for us to continue to promote the Central Australian region to the government of the day. Let’s all continue to ‘Build it……and they will come’!!!
What would you propose to make this vital portfolio more than a symbol? How would you use it to help develop, improve and promote the Red Centre?
The role does not currently receive an dedicated funding and is not attached to any one government department or agency. It is simply an ‘honorary’ title that certainly needs to be grown stronger.
I believe that it is imperative to have the Minister (it’s my aspiration to be that Minister one day) in an ambassador capacity to proactively promote and highlight the achievements of the many great people this town and region enjoys. I will promote the people, the country and the essential spirit that is Alice Springs and Central Australia across the Territory, around Australia and throughout the world. My background as a tourism operator here for 10 years will stand me in good stead with other tourism sector operators and I believe that I have the capacity, will and intent to deliver a first-rate profile to this important portfolio.
So this ministership should be attatched to the Tourism portfolio?
I think that the role of Minister for Central Australia carries a fantastic opportunity to be linked to the dedicated tourism portfolio.
The incumbent Minister, the Hon. Malarndirri McCarthy MLA is a very keen advocate and supporter of Alice Springs and Central Australia. She is a passionate and prominant’roving ambassador’ for our region. I believe the Minister for Central Australia portfolio could assume an ancilliary position with regard to being a strong advocate for domestic and global touring into the region.
But I assume it can be attatched most of the other portfolios too. For example: Housing (for housing in Central Australia), Education (for education in Central Australia) etc.
Doesn’t that mean that it could ultimately become a redundant role that just overlaps with other Ministerships?
Absolutely not!!
Wait until I’m the incumbent and you’ll see where this role will lead and achieve!!