The Chair of the Federal Rural Liberal Caucus Rowan Ramsey MP said he is very pleased Prime Minister Turnbull has announced the establishment of a Regional Ministerial Taskforce to address key issues in regional Australia. The taskforce will be chaired by Prime Minister with senior Cabinet Ministers from across a range of portfolios relevant to rural Australians.
“Regional Australia has specific needs which are quite often very different to the city and we need to make sure that cabinet has the ability to focus on these as a priority,” Mr Ramsey said.
“As chair of the Rural and Regional Liberal Caucus I invited the Prime Minister to address our meeting in the first week of Parliament.
“At that meeting, we stressed the importance of a strong regional focus and many regionally unique issues were discussed. The announcement now that the PM is responding by the establishment of this taskforce is terrific news.
“Our regions are responsible for almost three quarters of Australia’s exports, the majority of Australia’s production of gas and electricity, half the nation’s tourism, and most of our food and fibre production.
“The Government needs to recognise the special challenges faced by regional Australians from employment to accessing health care, running a business, education and telecommunications.
“The Coalition collectively represents almost all of regional Australia and the importance of having a senior group of Cabinet covering all of the most relevant portfolios and chaired by the PM in getting this message through, cannot be overstated.”
The Coalition Government has a proud track record of investing in regional Australia through the Building Better Regions Fund, investment in regional jobs and infrastructure programmes, telecommunications and appointing a rural health commissioner, it is important we continue to push for the recognition the regions deserve.”
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744
March 14, 2017