06/08/2026
๐ This week, RDA Brisbane Chair Kieren Dell, and CEO Nicole Duguid are attending the Developing Northern Australia Conference in Alice Springs, joining leaders from government, industry, research and community to explore the future of Northern Australia.
Day 1 of the conference reinforced a clear message: Australia's future prosperity will be built from its regions.
Queensland Minister Dale Last highlighted the critical role regional communities play in powering the national economy through resources, agriculture, manufacturing, exports and energy. His message was clear: investment in regional Australia is not just about economic growth, it is about strengthening sovereign capability, securing critical mineral supply chains, creating local jobs and ensuring communities have the infrastructure and services they need to thrive.
Federal Minister Madeleine King reinforced the importance of collaboration across government, industry, research and community to unlock Northern Australia's potential. Her address focused on building long-term partnerships, supporting infrastructure and connectivity, and ensuring development delivers lasting benefits for people, places and communities across the North.
The conference has showcased a range of innovative initiatives driving regional growth, including the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, which helps address workforce shortages while creating shared economic opportunities for Pacific nations, Timor-Leste and regional Australia. https://www.palmscheme.gov.au/.
We also heard an excellent presentation from Michael Camerlengo, Executive Leader at Housing Australia, on the importance of housing supply to build value and grow thriving regional communities.
For RDA Brisbane, the discussions strongly aligned with our strategic pillars. The opportunities emerging across Northern Australia, from critical minerals and defence to transport, energy and workforce development, will help shape Australia's economic resilience and competitiveness for decades to come.