The Regional Statement is a new way of engaging with rural and regional Victoria.
It's a new culture, a new way of decision making, and one that I think will involve and see
much more participation in communities right across the State. And when it comes to a local
community, those who live in it, those who built it, those who will sustain it into the future,
know and understand better than anyone else what those opportunities are.
To give you a sense of those commitments that are listed in the Regional Statement today,
I am so very, very proud to be able to announce $34m for additional regional skills and training.
This money will help people from disadvantaged groups and disadvantaged regions get the
skills that they need for the job that they want. And it’s going to make sure that more
kids from regional communities get the start they need to play their role, to play their part
and reach their full potential. There’s $25m for first and last kilometre. Those road
upgrades are critically important. If we’re going to get the best produce, to pull it
to market, to the rest of the world, to the rest of our nation, supporting our growers
and the economic infrastructure at the farm gate and at the other end of that logistic
chain is critically important. There is $20m upgrade for the Macalister Irrigation District,
Stage 2 of that important project. There is also a fund that will be available to towns
right across Victoria. We have so many iconic tourism locations, so many places that tell
the story of our State, and speak to the prosperity of our economy as we look to the future.
And there will be an opportunity for the 10 most significant proposals that come to us for
us to be involved in upgrades, improvements to make the most of these rich assets.
There’s $18m for better mobile reception on V-Line routes. Our regional business centres, so
our Regional Development Victoria offices are going to be transformed. They are going
to become one-stop shops for businesses in local communities looking to grow.
Very pleased with the outcome. I think it’s put a focus on rural and regional Victoria and that’s
always good, getting a voice at Spring Street is always something that we advocate for.
And having the regional partnerships will provide that link into Spring Street.
Clearly this is about bringing Spring Street closer to the farm gate. It’s getting the connection
between aspirations of regions and there’s lots of that, and being able to get that message through.
I’d like to talk to you for a minute about the regional partnerships. These are
truly the centrepiece of the Regional Statement. And they’ll give our regional communities
a voice straight into the heart of government. They will create opportunities for your local
communities and for individuals to have a say, a greater say, about the issues of importance
to you. Partnerships recognise that it’s State Government and government that needs
to change how it operates to respond to the needs of communities not the other way around.
I’m very impressed by what’s been announced today regarding the regional partnerships.
It’s a really exciting new forum for local communities and regional communities such
as ours in the G21 Region to go straight into the heart of government. To actually have
that capacity now to not only plan locally which we’ve always had, but now we’re
going to have that access to the Cabinet, to the Minister, the Premier, and we’ve not had that before.
I look forward to the future. We do live in a great State and outside
the dry conditions in the northwest, we will be travelling well. And I know into the future
with the program the Government has, and the partnership, we look forward to a great association.
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.