Over the Winter Break, I had the privilege of hosting the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley on the Northern Gold Coast. Given Sussan’s shadow portfolios in industry, skills and training, women, and small and family business, we packed her visit with meaningful engagements with local businesses and constituents, providing a comprehensive look at the Northern Gold Coast’s current challenges and opportunities.
Our first stop was Busy at Work Oxenford, where we delved into the pressing issues faced by the skills and apprenticeships sector. Industry leaders voiced their concerns about the repercussions of the Government’s ill-fated Fee-Free TAFE experiment, highlighting the need for more effective solutions to address the skills gap.
The Deputy Leader and I then hosted a Women’s Business Leaders Breakfast. This event brought together business owners, elected representatives, and community leaders to discuss the challenges facing women and young girls in our community. The conversation was both insightful and inspiring, underscoring the need for continued support and advocacy for gender equality in the business world.
Next, we had the exciting opportunity to tour the new facility of Gilmour Space Technologies. Located in the heart of the Northern Gold Coast, this state-of-the-art facility will soon be home to 200 employees working for Australia’s leading aerospace and rocket company. Adam Gilmour’s innovative work in the space sector is something we need to be supporting in the global space race.