During a visit to Echuca on Friday, May 7, the leader of the National Party in the Senate said when released, the budget would “clearly deliver for regional, rural and remote Australia”.
“Areas such as Echuca-Moama have, like the rest of regional Australia, every reason to celebrate,” Ms McKenzie said.
“Regional Australia got the entire nation through this pandemic and I am well aware of the efforts made here in Echuca-Moama, with campaigns such as Turn The Bubble Green and the current Let’s Revive Echuca-Moama, which I understand is well on the way to its $100,000 target.”
With an influx of people to regional areas of Australia following COVID-19 lockdowns in cities last year, Ms McKenzie said regions were where investment needed to be directed.
“We’re going to have an increased burden on our services such as education and health and we’re also going to need roads and rail services to facilitate that move,” she said.
Ms McKenzie said Canberra was focused on building better regions, including through a dedicated fund.
“In the new financial year, the Federal Government will invest in a sixth round of the fund; but this time we will up the ante to $250 million — on top of the $200 million last year,” she said.
“Whichever way you look at this, it will provide a significant boost to regional Australia.
“The Nationals anticipate this will further accelerate regional recovery and deliver growth, community renewal, more jobs and new workforce skills.”
The Building Better Regions Fund supports shovel-ready infrastructure projects, local events, strategic regional plans and will deliver new economic and social benefits across the country.
Ms McKenzie also flagged $5.7 million for a rebuilding regional communities program, $22.3 million for water infrastructure projects and over $130 million for digital connectivity.
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