Four regional areas will host South Australian Government Country Cabinet meetings in 2016 including the first Cabinet meeting in the APY Lands in more than 20 years.

Premier Jay Weatherill today announced details of the first three meetings to be held in 2016:
• Leigh Creek, Flinders Ranges and Port Augusta (February 28 – March 1)
• The APY Lands (1 May – 4 May)
• Tatiara, Southern Mallee and Karoonda (11 September – 13 September)

Details of a fourth Country Cabinet meeting will be announced later in the year.

“Regional South Australia contributes about $25 billion to the State’s economy, and these Country Cabinet meetings help give regional areas a stronger voice,” Mr Weatherill said.

“Since Minister Geoff Brock reintroduced Country Cabinets in 2014, we’ve held six successful meetings in the Riverland, Adelaide Hills, West Coast, Mid-North, Barossa Valley and most recently the Limestone Coast.”

Mr Weatherill said he was pleased that Ministers and senior executives would visit the APY Lands in May for the first State Cabinet meeting to be held in the region since 1993.

“While a number of Ministers have visited the APY Lands while I’ve been Premier, this is the first time in more than two decades that State Cabinet has met in the region,” Mr Weatherill said.

“This is a great opportunity to take a holistic approach to the issues that are confronting the APY Lands, by having representatives across all portfolios in the area at the one time.”

Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock said the face-to-face meetings with locals during Country Cabinet provided valuable feedback about the range of issues facing their communities.

“Country Cabinet offers the chance for people to ask questions directly of Cabinet Ministers and senior executives.

“Ministers and senior executives also tour the area, and meet local business and community leaders at a series of functions held across the region,” Mr Brock said.

Find out more about Country Cabinet at http://yoursay.sa.gov.au/initiatives/country-cabinet