Australian Government continues to work for regional Australia
28 March 2019
The
Australian Government continues to reinforce its absolute commitment to
rural and
regional Australia by appointing an expert panel to consider
the key elements to support strategic growth and development in regional
Australia.
Today, at a
Business Council of Australia roundtable with key business
leaders, Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government and
Decentralisation, Senator Bridget McKenzie, announced a panel of four
distinguished Australian leaders passionate about growing regional
Australia will be established.
“On 13 February, I tabled the Government's response to Regions at the
Ready. In the response, I committed to establish an expert panel that
will undertake a targeted assessment of the key issues raised in the
Regions at the Ready Report and consider the growth of prosperous, safe
and sustainable regions over the long term,” Minister McKenzie said.
“To this end, the expert panel will develop a regional framework that
will consider the most appropriate mechanisms for local collaboration
and partnerships, and opportunities to facilitate business investment,
as well as reviewing Commonwealth investment and how this could better
support strategic regional growth.
“The panel will be chaired by The Honourable Peter Ryan, the former
Deputy Premier of
Victoria. Peter was the Victorian Minister for Regional and Rural
Development in both the Baillieu and Napthine governments.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Peter will do a sterling job given
his outstanding leadership in community and public service.”
The expert panel members have been selected for their outstanding
leadership and depth of experience in business, public service, research
and as strong advocates for regional Australia. The Hon. Peter Ryan will
be joined by Mr Jack Archer, former CEO of
Regional Australia Institute,
Councillor Anna Speedie, Mayor of
Wodonga City Council and Councillor
Andrew Cripps of
Hinchinbrook Shire Council.
The expert panel has been asked to report back to Government by 31
March.
Mr Ryan welcomed the opportunity to contribute to a significant and
important body of work to support strategic investment and growth in the
regions.
“I'm looking forward to collaborating. We bring to the table significant
experience regarding a topic with which we have all had extensive
involvement. It is a formidable group well-suited to the task at hand,”
Mr Ryan said.
“Today was a valuable opportunity for the expert panel to engage with
business about the enabling features to drive business growth in the
regions.”
Joining with Business Council of Australia CEO, Jennifer Westacott and
business leaders for a roundtable event in Sydney, Minister McKenzie
said the business sector is key to enabling regionalisation and
facilitating greater investment and growth in regional Australia.
“Today's roundtable was a valuable discussion with key major business
leaders which considered the challenges and opportunities which need to
be examined to unlock and drive regional growth,” Minister McKenzie
said.
“Business is a major employer and economic contributor across the
country. Regional Australia has a key role to play contributing around
30 per cent of our GDP annually.”
Following the recent Strong Australia series and engagement with key
business leaders and the local community, CEO Jennifer Westacott said
there are clear opportunities to enable greater business jobs growth in
the regions.
“By getting the settings right, we will see more private sector
investment outside of capital cities and create strong, prosperous and
sustainable regional communities for the future,” Ms Westacott said.
“The private sector already has a strong presence across Australia's
regions. The Strong Australia series has shown us that with investment
in skills and key connecting infrastructure, alongside competitive
regulatory settings businesses can grow and invest even more in our
regions.”
--ENDS--
Source: Australian Government - www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au
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