General News
30 May, 2025
Webster’s new portfolio
Member for Mallee Anne Webster has net herself a regionally focused portfolio with the announcement of the Coalition’s shadow cabinet on Wednesday.
Formerly Shadow Minister for Regional Health Dr Webster will now be managing two portfolios as Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories plus Shadow Minister for Regional Communications.
Dr Webster said she was humbled by her appointments and emphasised her advocacy for Mallee would continue locally, while shaping her role going forward for all regional Australians.
“When I was elected as the Federal Member for Mallee in 2019, in my maiden speech to Parliament I said ‘community is built on communication, if you don’t have it, the result is entrenched isolation. Nobody thrives in isolation’,” she said.
As Shadow Minister for Regional Communications Dr Webster said she’d use the position to continue advocating for mobile coverage improvement in all regional areas.
“Driving across the 83,412 km2 of Mallee, I know like the back of my hand where many black spots are,” she said.
“I will be taking up the fight to the Albanese Government not only for Mallee but all regional Australians on regional mobile and internet connectivity to overcome the tyranny of distance, enable remote work and working from home, and adopt best practice technology in agriculture and small business.”
From formerly being Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Development during 2022/23 to Mallee containing 12 shires alone Dr Webster said she’d continue advocating for local government.
“In my maiden speech I also said ‘Roads, rail and bridges are essential for productivity and community life. Locals and tourists alike, need safe passage to travel throughout this vast electorate. Our farmers and industry need efficient transport mechanisms and systems to access domestic and export markets’,” she said.
“Councils and shires have an impossible burden with low ratepayer bases and crumbling infrastructure.”