Budget 2020: Backing Our Regions

The 2020–21 Budget
locks in more investment, jobs and a secure future for our regional
communities, ensuring they remain a great place to live, work, invest and raise
a family.

Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael
McCormack said this year’s Budget would provide support for regional Australia
as it continues to drive our nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19
pandemic.

“The Liberals and
Nationals in Government have supported regional Australia through recent
drought, bushfires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Deputy Prime
Minister said.

“It’s more important
than ever that we continue to back our regions through targeted support,
boosting community infrastructure, local leadership and industries seeking a
new home in regional Australia and that’s exactly what we are doing.”

Minister for
Decentralisation and Regional Education, Andrew Gee, welcomed $41 million in
funding for a Securing Raw Materials Program and a Research and Development
Program that will broaden the Australian Government’s approach to
decentralisation and create regional jobs.

“This Program will
deliver real results on the ground for country Australia, driving closer
collaboration between businesses and tertiary research organisations, while
also delivering practical solutions to enable the growth of important
industries for the regions,” Mr Gee said.

“Importantly, this
work and research will be delivered by people who are on the ground in the
regions, who understand first-hand the issues primary producers and material
suppliers face.

“We want businesses
across all industries to see the many benefits moving to regional and rural
Australia can bring and that’s why this Budget continues to invest in our
nation’s decentralisation agenda.”

Assistant Minister
for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino said the Budget delivered
initiatives to support regional Australia and the nation’s territories.

“We are providing an
additional $22.7 million for a sixth round of the Stronger Communities
Programme, because it is an initiative that makes local economies stronger and
boosts community organisations,” Assistant Minister Marino said.

“These grants of
between $2,500 and $20,000 reach across the country to all 151 federal
electorates, backing projects that make a real difference to local communities.

“The Budget also
invests $55.8 million in critical services to Norfolk Island and the Jervis Bay
Territory, including support for bushfire management in an area particularly
hard hit by last summer’s tragic bushfire crisis.”

These new
announcements build on support for regional and rural Australia, including $200
million for Round 5 of the Building Better Regions Fund and $100 million for a
Regional Recovery Partnerships initiative to target economic recovery and
diversification for regions especially hard hit by COVID-19.