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Cabinet officials

Labor Government's Commitment to Regional Australia

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Australian Minister for Regional Development, Local Government, and Territories, Kristy McBain, emphasized the Albanese Labor government's dedication to regional Australia in a recent speech. Stressing that regional Australians value Labor policies, McBain highlighted various initiatives by the government to support the growth and development of regional communities. She highlighted that the government's policies focus on investing in people, skills, training, services, and supporting towns and communities. Additionally, she underscored the importance of investing in healthcare, digital connectivity, and disaster resilience in regional areas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Albanese Labor government has made the largest investment in healthcare in regional Australia ever, with 31 out of 87 urgent care clinics being in regional areas.
  • The government invested $90 million to address healthcare shortages across regions, including incentives for doctors and nurse practitioners, and waiving their HECS debts for those working in rural and regional areas.
  • The government has committed to establishing a $1 billion Building Early Education Fund to build more childcare centers in regional Australia.
  • The tax cut for regional Australians has been a significant move, with every extra dollar going back into small businesses that employ community members.
  • The government has invested $5.4 billion to expand full-fibre NBN access to 2.1 million premises, including almost a million in regional areas.
  • The Disaster Ready Fund, a $1 billion five-year program, aims to reduce disaster risk and build resilience across Australian communities.
  • The Albanese Labor government has increased the Roads to Recovery Program to $1 billion a year and increased the Road Black Spots funding program to $150 million a year.
  • A new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program worth $200 million a year has been launched to improve road safety in regional areas.
  • The government is committed to supporting Rex, recognizing the importance of a strong regional aviation sector.

Statistics:

  • $90 million: The investment to address healthcare shortages in regional Australia.
  • $5.4 billion: The investment in expanding full-fibre NBN access to 2.1 million premises.
  • Almost a million: The number of regional premises receiving full-fibre NBN access.
  • $1 billion: The allocation for the Disaster Ready Fund.
  • $1 billion: The increase in the Roads to Recovery Program.
  • $200 million: The annual allocation for the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.

Sources:

  • "Speech in Reply: Address in Reply (2022/23 Appropriation Bill 2022)" by Ms Kristy McBain, Australian Parliament (15:37), [Speech to Australian Parliament on July 26, 2022].

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