Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, will be meeting civic and business leaders today in Gayndah 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 those throughout the Burnett 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," Minister McKenzie said.
"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 Gayndah, Mundubbera, Eidsvold, Biggenden, Monto or others in the Burnett. Labor Leader Anthony Albanese can barely bring himself to mention the word 'region'."
Liberal Nationals Candidate for Flynn Colin Boyce said the wider Burnett region was in the box seat to take advantage of a regional investment program like this from the Coalition Government.
"The Burnett region has a wealth of talented, enterprising and hardworking people, with a robust agricultural sector, world class citrus industry and unique small businesses, proving we already know how to make our mark on the world stage – but there's much more opportunity to be harnessed," Mr Boyce said.
"With the support that can flow from the Regional Accelerator Program, the businesses and industries of the north, central and south Burnett will have the right tools to take their ambitions even further, creating jobs and prosperity for those who call this beautiful region home."
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.
