Federal delegation overview

Peri Urban Councils Victoria headed to Canberra in the first half of the year for in-person meetings with key ministers, shadow ministers, ministerial offices and policy makers.

Our visit was scheduled to complement the timing of the federal budget and election early in the year.

Our delegation to Parliament House, led by Deputy Chair Cr Brett Tessari, met with:

• The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government;

• The Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and the Territories;

• The Hon Clare O’Neil MP, Minister for Housing and Homelessness;

• The Hon Darren Chester MP, Shadow Minister for Regional Education, Shadow Minister for Regional Development, and Shadow Minister for Local Government and Territories; 

• Mr Michael Sukkar MP, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness;

• Ms Libby Coker MP, Member for Corangamite; 

• Mr Sam Rae MP, Member for Hawke;

• Mr Russell Broadbent MP, Member for Monash;

• Office of the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications; and

• Office of Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Regional Development.

Our delegation discussed the task of meeting government housing targets and the high demand for homes in our fast-growing peri urban municipalities. In particular, we detailed our proposed solutions, namely: 

• support peri urban recognition in federal policy;

• housing enabling support for growing peri urban communities;

• funding opportunities for telecommunications in peri urban areas; and

• funding programs for liveability infrastructure to ensure peri urban communities remain fantastic, well-serviced communities.

Full details are available in our 2025-26 Pre-Budget Submission.