MELISSA PRICE SPEAKS ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND FARMERS' RIGHTS
Parliament House, Canberra PC: Meliisa Price/Facebook
BY ASAD KHAN AND MARION CHEEDY
In her recent visit to the Pilbara region, Melissa Price, the Liberal Federal Member for Durack, engaged with local communities and highlighted the diverse cultural landscape of the area.
Ms Price attended a citizenship ceremony in Port Hedland, where individuals from various nationalities became Australian citizens.
"It was a great reminder of the incredible diversity here in the Pilbara,"
During her visit, Price also met with representatives from Pilbara For Purpose, a network of not-for-profit organizations focused on social services.
The meeting fostered open dialogue, allowing participants to discuss pressing issues such as youth domestic violence and support for Indigenous culture.
"We had no agenda; it was just a chance to have a yarn about what's happening in their organizations," she said.
Reflecting on her political journey, Price addressed her family’s political background. While her father campaigned for the Australian Labor Party, he later became a Liberal voter.
"By the time he passed away, he was firmly in the Liberal camp," she shared.
Ms Price's grandfather, David Dellar, served in the state parliament when she was born, and she said her mother often recounts the story of distributing how-to-vote cards while pregnant with her.
“When I was pre-selected in 2013, my mum said, ‘You’ve done something your father didn’t achieve.’”
In light of recent challenges facing Western Australian farmers, particularly following the announcement of a live sheep export ban, Ms Price has been vocal in her support for the agricultural sector.
"I've been working with farming groups for years, emphasizing the need for them to engage with urban communities," she said.
Recently, she participated in protests and rallies advocating for farmers, including a significant event in Canberra.
"The campaign is called 'Keep the Sheep,' but it’s about more than just that. It’s about supporting all regional industries,"
She expressed confidence that West Australians, especially those in rural areas, understand the complexities of these issues and are ready to advocate for their rights.
Melissa Price’s commitment to fostering community dialogue and advocating for regional interests underscores her dedication to the constituents of Durack and the broader Western Australian community.
Listen to Marion Cheedy speak with The Liberal’s Federal Member for Durack, Melissa Price: