News
28 July, 2025
Blair roundtable to build economic reform
FEDERAL Member for Blair Shayne Neumann will convene a Blair Economic Reform Roundtable on August 7, with the aim of unlocking new ideas to build a stronger economy in Ipswich and the Somerset Region.
The forum is intended to canvass opportunities and challenges in the local economy, and develop ideas to feed into the Federal Government’s national Economic Reform Roundtable, to be held in Canberra on August 19-21. New Federal Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, Dr Daniel Mulino, will be the keynote speaker, and will set out the Government’s broader growth and productivity agenda.
The event will bring together up to 50 participants from across Ipswich, Somerset and beyond, including local businesses, unions, community groups, government agencies and experts to address shared economic challenges. Mr Neumann said that the roundtable will be guided by the Government’s 5-pillar productivity agenda around: creating a more dynamic and resilient economy; investing in renewables and the net zero transformation; building a skilled and adaptable workforce; harnessing data and digital technology; and delivering quality care more efficiently.
“Our region is experiencing growing pains, and need to be investing in more housing, infrastructure, services and skills to meet the needs of a booming population and ensure a good quality of life for people, so there’s more to do,” Mr Neumann said. “I want people in Blair to have their say, and I am interested in ideas to improve productivity, build economic resilience in the face of global uncertainty, and strengthen economic and budget sustainability.”
The Blair Economic Reform Roundtable will focus on proposals that are: in the national interest, rather than the interest of particular sectors or states; fiscally responsible – budget neutral at a minimum but preferably budget positive overall; and specific and practical, not abstract or unrealistic.
The Blair Economic Reform Roundtable will be held on Thursday, 7 August 2025, from 10:00am to 12:30pm at Jets Leagues Club (Lowry Street, North Ipswich). Most participants will be invited, however any individuals or organisations interested in attending can contact the Blair Electorate Office on (07) 3201 5300 or at Shayne.Neumann.MP@aph.gov.au.
For more information on the national Economic Reform Roundtable, and to submit proposals and ideas, visit the Treasury website at: https://consult.treasury.gov.au/economicreform-roundtable-2025
