Building strong, safe and growing regional communities, where people can get ahead, is central to my agenda for 2017. Heading to the North East, where I was born and raised, is always a pleasure. As I travelled through the North East over summer, visiting friends and family, attending community events and meeting with local councils, I did not get a sense that there was a feeling of ‘deep government neglect’. Visiting the communities of Beechworth, Wangaratta, Benalla, and Wodonga filled me with optimism.
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I believe one of the key reasons that our focus on communications, education, infrastructure and agriculture industries is delivering great outcomes is because the solutions are homegrown.
It is difficult in a democracy when the numbers don’t stack up in the favour of regional Australia to ensure we have a say in government. That’s why we need fighters.
The key issue for the North East for so long has been the state of the train service delivery. Whilst this neglect sits firmly with state governments, I have invited the federal Infrastructure Minister, The Nationals Darren Chester, to see first-hand the state of the rail track. I hope this will encourage the Victorian Transport Minister, Jacinta Allen, to head north and visit councils locally and talk to the community about their very real concerns and of the economic and social impact.
Our economic growth needs continual strategic investment in infrastructure - that strategic identification of key projects only happens if you listen to the locals.
The critical piece of infrastructure as I see it, for regional Australians to harness all the opportunity of the 21st century and over overcome the inevitable challenges is access to appropriate communications technology.
That is why, the mobile blackspot program was developed seven years ago. By listening to locals across the country, we have seen three rounds of funding delivered. It is why we ensured that country areas were prioritised in the broadband build, to build and connect rural communities.
That is why it is so important for all politicians, state, federal and local councillors to get out into communities and hear what concerns people. It also can provide solutions to sometimes intractable problems.
Building safe and secure regions is not just about bricks and mortar, ensuring we have access to high quality education opportunities and to world class health care are key building blocks.
The MYEFO statement makes clear a $140 million regional education package, that includes measures to improve access to financial support for country kids heading away to university and a raft of scholarships for regional students to study science courses.
Whilst much has been delivered, there is still much to do. The outcomes of the ACCC inquiry into the dairy and beef markets will be key for local farmers. As is our ability to strike a trade deal with the UK post Brexit, particularly as Wangaratta and Wodonga combined generate over $3.5 billion in exports per year. The public debate surrounding housing affordability, population and decentralisation will allow us to promote the benefits of living and working in the regions. Not as lesser option but one of advantage.
I start my 2017 refreshed from celebrating Australia Day with many of you along the Murray, there is much to celebrate and equally much to still achieve.
I say “Bring it On!”. I am confident together we can continue to build a strong, safe and growing North East Victoria.
