Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, will be meeting civic and business leaders today in Bunbury to discuss opportunities from the Liberal and Nationals Government's Regional Accelerator Program.
"Through the $2 billion Regional Accelerator Program, the Federal Government will work closely with regional centres, like Bunbury and Busselton, to bring forward their proposals for catalytic region-shaping investments that will strengthen and grow their local economies, create high-skilled, well-paid jobs and advance their strategic advantages."
"The Liberal and Nationals Government continues to build on its more than $120 billion investment in regional Australia - the engine-room of our nation's economy - ensuring a sustainable, prosperous and secure future for people living in the regions."
"By contrast, Labor has no plan or vision for regional centres like Bunbury and Busselton. Labor Leader Anthony Albanese can barely bring himself to mention the word 'region'."
The Liberal Member for Forrest, the Hon Nola Marino MP said Bunbury and Busselton are in the box seat to take advantage of a regional investment program like this from the Coalition Government.
"The Greater Bunbury and Busselton areas have a wealth of talented, innovative and enterprising business people, with a strong history in many sectors including manufacturing, resource processing, transport, applied technology and design, construction, agribusiness, food and forestry fibre processing," Mrs Marino said.
The $2 billion Regional Accelerator Program is part of a massive $21 billion investment in our regions and infrastructure across the nation unveiled through the 2022-23 Federal Budget to make our nation wealthier and stronger, create tens of thousands of regional jobs and drive our economic growth.
The Regional Accelerator Program provides a targeted placed-based, locally-driven approach to investment that will leverage on the strategic advantages of our regions. It will deliver on the Federal Government's key priorities such as advancing our manufacturing and defence industries, up skilling workers, and future-proofing our agriculture and higher education sectors.
Funding for the Regional Accelerator Program will be delivered through dedicated Regional Accelerator rounds of 12 Federal flagship economic development programs such as the Modern Manufacturing Initiative, Trailblazer Universities Program and the Export Market Development Grant Program.
