It was wonderful to see Treasurer, Minister Joe Hockey, Senator - TopicsExpress

It was wonderful to see Treasurer, Minister Joe Hockey, Senator Barnaby Joyce, and Minister John McVeigh along with Mayors from regions in the Sth West of Qld attend a meeting held in Charleville yesterday, 11th of August. Rick Gurnett should be holding his head high, for without his sterling effort over the past months, this meeting would not have come to fruition. Well done to Rick and his wife Trish for their commitment, concern passion and ensuring that the Grazing and township fraternity had the opportunity to have their say. This gathering of families, Graziers of our region was to hear and voice not only their concerns to the VIP’s, but to offer solutions – and boy oh boy, did they come! Denis Cook, Mayor of Charleville gave a rousing and “no holds withheld” welcome to Charleville, indeed straight to the point “We need help!” Denis then continued on with what Charleville is known for, further what is happening in his community both town and rural. His speech did not fall on deaf ears, and the VIP’s listened intently to him. MP Howard Hobbs was most noted for stating “it is a Natural Disaster” what has happened in this area, further it should be recognised as this. There is no doubt, that Dr Ian Beale and Ashley McKay are two people who have contributed so much to their communities over the lifetimes, their opinions are always highly regarded, rightly so. Together, indeed or on their own are formidable in their knowledge from Native Vegetation, to Cattle, commodity expenses / returns, viability and sustainability. They are leaders in our communities, but more than that, our human resources that one cannot replace with their hands on knowledge ever. Speakers from all walks of life, from towns people with different business’s, to graziers had the opportunity to voice their opinions and they did. At any given time, one could look up and see the Senator Joyce showing “no mercy” to his notebook as he meticulously took his own notes during the course of the meeting. Minister Hockey listened intently and one could see there was no dismissing the serious and dire situations that Australian Families are facing. As the Mayor, Tractor Ferguson from Thargominda, stood and read the prices of a loaf of bread - $6.00, the average weekly shopping for a family of 4 is between $500.00 to $600.00 a week, it “hit home” with the treasurer. Shock and surprise of what is the reality of living “where we live” was not lost on our VIP’s. Reporters were about of course, but notably absent in the room – people were able to engage freely to the time table allocated. But then, there is always one that breaks the “rules of engagement”..the one who inevitably jumps to their feet to be heard when it all becomes too much. That person was our youngest daughter. As slide after slide, with articulate speaker after speaker spoke so well to the dot points to our VIP’s, the slide pertaining to the “Next Generation” came up. A father of children spoke to the cost of education, with not options of other education, he did so very well. It was at this point that daughter #3 rose to her feet and wanted to be heard. She and possibly one other in the room at that time were under 23 years of age. Indeed, she wanted to have her concerns heard and acknowledgement from the men who are elected to secure her generations futures. While she was asked by the Chair to sit down and be quiet – she would not be swayed. She only required a short while, which was prolonged by the Chair trying to keep the meeting on track. She was not going to be stopped and indeed stated “No, I have the right to be heard. These people are my “family” (intimating with hand gestures, the community in the room) we have questions and we want to know what you can do to help us?” Again, she was told to sit down, she has had her say, and no one is interested in her opinion. Again, she stood her ground, and refused to be dismissed easily. With this, Minister Hockey addressed the Chair, as he vocalised that he wanted the right to reply to her. This was by all accounts to date, a turning point again in this meeting. This was the first time, that the Minster rose to his feet in this meeting, acknowledged and answered this young woman’s concerns for her, and future generations on the land and in her local townships throughout the Sth Wst of Qld. She apologised for becoming emotional, however she stated she is passionate. Minister Hockey’s reply, “It’s alright, you have every right to be emotional and be heard”. Minister Hockey went through each of her concerns, which were applicable to all in and out of the room; he was not dismissive on any level. This was unquestionably noticed by all present. As she went to thank him, again, the Chair told her to take her seat, she had her say, and her opinions were not relevant...a great disservice to the Chair themselves. With this, she left the room with some well chosen “words” for the Chair. It is always unfortunate that when time is a factor, planes to be met and people misread the concerns of individuals or the courage it takes from one so young to stand and try to be heard, that the “heat of the moment” thoughts, words and actions sometimes appear. However, it also highlights very poignantly the crisis that the bush is in, in our area. Her strength to carry on, her passion and conviction for others of her age and beyond made an impact that no one in that room could have foreseen what would happen after that meeting. While some men in the room became very protective of our young daughter and indeed had their say in private, while she spoke had tears in their eyes and with “clearing of their throats” as they thought of their own children and the future, they agreed with her right to be heard. They commented of her timing, and respectfulness to wait until the appropriate time for “the next generations” to have her say as one of those next generations. After the meeting, Minister Hockey spoke with her, out in the car park. He made the time to go and see her. To commend her in person of her passion, her conviction. He encouraged her to always be heard, no matter what. He told her that he would not ever forget her words to him. As she went to shake his hand, he refused, instead giving her a heartfelt hug for what she had brought to him this day, of the hardship of the bush – Charleville’s message had been heard. As I walked with the Minister to her, I told him that I had read his oath that he took the day he was sworn in. The Minister looked at me, almost with surprise. I asked him to remember his oath on that day, to remember his allegiance to Australia and “her” people. There were no words necessary, as the Minister’s eyes said it all as indeed they were glassy with those few words, and indeed, he did remember them. There is no doubt, in what we witnessed in the room, speaker after speaker, point after point, community member after community member, that for those few hours in time, the concerns of those present to our VIP’s did not fall on deaf ears. Now, the test will be will they remember all those who have spoken so passionately, offered solutions, raising issues with options, will they be dismissed back in Canberra? Or will the Minister and Senator remember the day they went to Charleville, toured a drought stricken Station, the town and business’s, remember those with the hands on knowledge, and one cheeky passionate young woman named Britt who spoke from the heart, not polished who caught the attention of Minister Joe Hockey, and Senator Barnaby Joyce for her community of Murweh Shire and beyond?