A message from Nationals Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack:
This week we have seen a vote of confidence by The Nationals in the future of regional Australia.
In a significant pre-budget speech to the Regional Australia Institute, I announced next week’s Federal Budget will deliver a further $135 million to promote the recovery and resilience of regional Australia.
The announcements include $100 million for new Regional Recovery Partnerships, $30 million for the Regional Connectivity Program and $5.7 million for a new Resilient Regional Leaders initiative.
This will bring regional support announced by The Nationals in Government in the past week to $385 million.
On Sunday, I announced a $50 million Regional Tourism Recovery initiative to assist businesses in regions heavily reliant on international tourism and $200 million for an additional round of the Building Better Regions Fund.
These measures are all part of our economic plan for a more secure and resilient Australia, helping the regions bounce back and then thrive, to drive Australia’s economic recovery.
I’m excited by our regions, excited by their prospects, excited about what we are all – together – doing to overcome the challenges of today and build a better tomorrow.
Regional Recovery Partnerships will deliver this $100 million funding over two years to co-ordinate investments with other levels of government to support recovery and growth in the regions.
Regional New South Wales is a big winner with the Snowy Mountains, Hunter and Newcastle and Parkes regions in New South Wales key priorities for this funding.
We are also providing an additional $30 million in funding for the Regional Connectivity Program to improve connectivity in regional and remote Australia.
To support current and emerging leaders to further develop their leadership skills, we will also fund a new $5 million Resilient Regional Leaders Initiative.
This is what your Nationals’ team in Canberra is getting done for and on behalf of you.
Next week’s Budget will back Regional Australia like no Budget before it.
Find out more
Regional Recovery Partnerships
- The Regional Recovery Partnerships program will help areas that have borne the brunt of COVID-19, as well as drought and last summer’s bushfires or are primed to build on opportunities to diversify its economy.
- The regions include the Snowy Mountains, Hunter and Newcastle, and Parkes.
Regional Connectivity Program
- The Government understands the importance of communications connectivity for all Australians and that’s why we are providing an additional $30 million in funding for the Regional Connectivity Program to improve connectivity in regional and remote Australia.
- This additional funding means there is now up to $83 million available under the program for projects to improve connectivity outside of the National Broadband Network (NBN) fixed-line footprint.
- The Regional Connectivity Program will target investment in telecommunications infrastructure projects that respond to local priorities and maximise economic opportunities and social benefits for regional, rural and remote Australians.
Building Resilient Regional Leaders Initiative
- To support current and emerging leaders to further develop their leadership skills, the Australian Government will also fund a new $5 million Resilient Regional Leaders Initiative.
- This initiative will support strong local voices who can help sustain regional Australia’s recovery and resilience.
- It will target emerging and current regional leaders, including members of local governments, volunteers and members of local community organisations and industries.
The Building Better Regions Fund is a highly successful initiative, now secured for a fifth round. The Round Four of the Fund is delivering projects such as the Deniliquin Town Hall Redevelopment.
Further information on these initiatives will be available in the coming weeks.
