While Premier David Crisafulli oversaw response preparations for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie led Ministers and Assistant Ministers to Cairns for the new Queensland Government's first Community Cabinet.
Residents, business owners, industry representatives, and community stakeholders met with Ministers and Assistant Ministers to focus on the opportunities and priorities for Cairns and Far North Queensland.
More than 250 people attended, with an afternoon tea at Brothers Leagues Club followed by more than 100 meetings where Ministers spoke to locals about a range of subjects including community safety, disaster recovery, roads, health, tourism, and the environment.
Minister Fiona Simpson and representatives of Queensland Corrective Services at Community Cabinet
More than $31 million will be invested in high visibility police operations targeting high-crime locations to help restore community safety across the state, including Far North Queensland.
Police stations around Queensland, including the Far North, will benefit from the largest Queensland Police Service graduation ceremony in 33 years with 155 new officers deployed to the frontline.
From February 28 to March 5, the new State Flying Squad arrested 58 youth offenders in Cairns, including five serious repeat offenders, resulting in 197 charges. The State Flying Squad tackles serious crime in targeted regions.
The joint-owner of HEH Civil, Luke Bird, is one of six regional representatives on the
re-established Bruce Highway Advisory Council. As a Far North Queenslander, he understands the complexities of one of Australia’s most significant highways.
59 new junior doctors are joining Queensland Health across the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service. They will receive world-class training and assistance from experienced clinicians, delivering additional support for the health services in the region.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg with attendees at Community Cabinet
More than 150 tourism industry and community stakeholders attended the Queensland Government’s consultation session in Cairns to develop the future of Queensland tourism.
Their advice will support the Tourism Cabinet Committee and help shape the 20-year Tourism Plan Destination 2045: Queensland's Tourism Future. As well as giving locals more to see and do, the Plan will deliver growth in Queensland tourism, attract investment, support jobs, accelerate infrastructure and experiences, and maximise the legacy of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The impacts of the heavy rain and flooding across Far North Queensland at the beginning of the year are still being felt, and a range of State and Commonwealth funding supports are available. Eligible residents, small businesses, not-for-profit organisations, primary producers, rural landholders, and communities are encouraged to seek assistance at qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.
A new youth foyer in Cairns will help young people at risk of homelessness to step back into study and the workplace. The Queensland Government's Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan is delivering 8 new youth foyers across the state, and the new Staying On Track youth criminal rehabilitation program and the Regional Reset early intervention program will help keep our young people on the right track.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie with attendees at Community Cabinet
Community Cabinet provides an opportunity to ask questions, raise opportunities, suggest ideas and meet with Queensland Government representatives, when the event is held in your region.
Community Cabinet includes opportunities for a 15-minute meeting with a Cabinet Minister or to attend an afternoon tea reception with the Premier and Ministers.
A deputation is a group of people appointed to represent others, often to present their views and concerns to a person in authority, such as a government official or an organisation. Typically, a deputation is formed to engage in discussions or negotiations about a specific issue or to request action on behalf of a larger group.
You are able to register for different parts of the event. For example, if you only wish to attend the deputations, you can express interest for that section of the event only.
All attendees must register an expression of interest.
Yes, you will meet one-on-one with the Minister that has been allocated to you and associated departmental representatives.
You will be allocated 15 minutes only. Please ensure you prepare for the meeting by presenting your key points succinctly and providing any key documents and research that the Minister and their team can take away if necessary.
You only need your ticket for entry. You might like to consider preparing talking points so you can cover everything you need to speak about to make the most of your time with the Minister.
Not always and in some instances, where requests for meetings are oversubscribed, you may not get an opportunity to speak directly with a Minister or the Minister you requested.
When you are making your request, ensure you select the Minister that can assist you most on the topic that is relevant to you. There are drop down boxes to assist you, listing each Minister’s specific portfolio responsibilities.
If you do not receive a one-on-one meeting with a Minister, you may be able to attend the afternoon tea reception and engage with Ministers and Queensland Government officials.
Yes, we recommend no more than three people from your group meet with the Minister. Please ensure that you have discussed beforehand who from your group will lead the conversation and what topics you will cover.
Yes, individuals can request meetings with a minister.
Requests generally close two weeks prior to the event date to allow for review and allocation of meetings. For the upcoming Cairns Community Cabinet, expressions of interest closed on Friday 21 February 2025.
We will endeavour to issue tickets one week prior to the event. If you have not received your tickets by the Thursday prior to the event in your region, please email communitycabinet@premiers.qld.gov.au. Please check your junk or spam folder, just in case correspondence has been redirected there.
Yes, there will be the opportunity to network with various stakeholders including Queensland Government officials and other community members and organisations in attendance at the afternoon tea reception.
Community Cabinet provides an opportunity to ask questions, raise opportunities, suggest ideas and meet with Queensland Government representatives, when the event is held in your region.
Community Cabinet includes opportunities for a 15-minute meeting with a Cabinet Minister or to attend an afternoon tea reception with the Premier and Ministers.
A deputation is a group of people appointed to represent others, often to present their views and concerns to a person in authority, such as a government official or an organisation. Typically, a deputation is formed to engage in discussions or negotiations about a specific issue or to request action on behalf of a larger group.
You are able to register for different parts of the event. For example, if you only wish to attend the deputations, you can express interest for that section of the event only.
All attendees must register an expression of interest.
You will be allocated 15 minutes only. Please ensure you prepare for the meeting by presenting your key points succinctly and providing any key documents and research that the minister and their team can take away if necessary.
You only need your ticket for entry. You might like to consider preparing talking points so you can cover everything you need to speak about to make the most of your time with the Minister.
Yes, we recommend no more than three people from your group meet with the Minister. Please ensure that you have discussed beforehand who from your group will lead the conversation and what topics you will cover.
Yes, individuals can request meetings with a minister.
Requests generally close two weeks prior to the event date to allow for review and allocation of meetings. For the upcoming Cairns Community Cabinet, expressions of interest closed on Friday 21 February 2025.
We will endeavour to issue tickets one week prior to the event. If you have not received your tickets by the Thursday prior to the event in your region, please email communitycabinet@premiers.qld.gov.au. Please check your junk or spam folder, just in case correspondence has been redirected there.
Yes, there will be the opportunity to network with various stakeholders including Queensland Government officials and other community members and organisations in attendance at the afternoon tea reception.
