I am incredibly honoured and humbled to be appointed Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories.

This is a portfolio that I am passionate about and I look forward to getting stuck in and making a meaningful difference.

As with all new appointments, there will be a steep learning curve, but as a former Mayor in a regional area, I am confident that I will be able to draw on my experience to hit the ground running.

I grew up in regional Australia and I am raising my kids in a regional area. I know how important it is that our regional communities are not left behind. There is a lot of work to be done, but I fully believe that I am the right person for the job to ensure regional Australia thrives under the Albanese Labor Government.

I am particularly proud to be a member of an outstanding frontbench team, which is overflowing with talented members who are absolutely committed to making a difference.

While this new portfolio will keep me busy, serving the Eden-Monaro community remains my highest priority. We’ve had an incredibly tough couple of years and our communities deserve a strong local voice in Canberra. I will continue to advocate for the needs of Eden-Monaro communities and ensure we get the best for our region.