Already 800 submissions have been received for the new www.getoutofthecity.com.au campaign. The Senate inquiry was launched to put a stop to The Nationals’ plan of decentralisation.
Regional Australians must tell city-based politicians why they need jobs and adding to the firepower from the bush is the Country Women’s Association calling for regional Australians to make a submission.
Every public service job in a regional town flows through the community and means more money for the local coffee shop, to the local mechanic, implores doctors to move there, schools to grow, and helps to deliver better transport services
Regional Australia deserves its fair share of government services and opportunities; and that includes being able to access quality public sector careers just as much as any capital city.
Government to deliver more doctors for regional and rural Australians
Hundreds of new junior doctors are set to experience work as a general practitioner in regional and rural Australia through a new Coalition Government initiative. The opening of the Coalition Government’s Rural Junior Doctor Training Innovation Fund (RJDTIF) will work as part of the Integrated Rural Training Pipeline measure to help tackle one of Australia’s biggest health challenges – locating doctors, particularly GPs, in regional, rural and remote Australia.
At least 60 junior doctors will be supported under the program each year, at a cost of up to $10 million.
They will train in a variety of primary care settings, such as general practice and Aboriginal Medical Services. This will improve the pathway for new graduates into challenging and rewarding careers as doctors with the skills needed by rural communities
ABC shifts jobs to the regions
It’s also encouraging to see the national broadcaster, the ABC, upping its emphasis on the important issues of rural, regional and remote Australia. This week’s announcement of up to 80 new ABC jobs to the regions is a welcome recognition of the importance of country Australia to all Australians.
Agriculture’s record contribution to Australian economy
Farm production is forecast to leap 8.3 per cent during this financial year; this will take the value of farming output across Australia to $63.8 billion, a new all-time record. It pushes production well beyond the five year average to last year of $52.3b.
Agriculture exports were worth $11.4 billion in the December quarter 2016, up by $1 billion or almost 10 per cent from the September Quarter ($10.3 billion). It’s a further signal of how agriculture is at the forefront of growth across the Australian economy.
The electorate of Parkes covers an area of 393 413 square kilometres [49 per cent of NSW] and has a primary industry-based economy. Certainly the irrigation areas of the Electorate are productive; however the rise in livestock prices in the saleyards is a fillip for the many grazing and farming operations right through the region as well.
It is important that due recognition is paid to the sweat and endeavour of our landholders and to those small and medium businesses that support them in our regional centres and communities. Another important part of the mix is the service providers in these regional and rural communities. Educators, health professionals, police and other specialists also add to the tapestry of life in Parkes and other regional Electorates, as they co-exist with the primary producers.