National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie today strongly supported the Federal
Government move to establish its own inquiry into decentralisation following
Labor’s discredited Senate hearing.
“That Inquiry held only one hearing, in Townsville and rejected my calls for further
regional hearings to give local councils and community groups the chance to
make a submission.
“Eighty-five regional Councils made supportive submissions to the Senate Inquiry even
offering to host hearings, an offer rejected by the Labor dominated Committee.
“Instead that committee will hand down its Senate Report next Friday (9 June) with
predictable attacks on the government decentralisation program.
“Everywhere I travel throughout regional Victoria and in other states; there is a massive
amount of support from Councils in particular, keen to have a government agency
or office in their region.
“Decentralisation makes such good sense, economically, commercially and for individuals and families moving out of the city into the freedom and health of the country..
“The Murray Darling Basin Authority moving some of their staff to Wodonga has been
applauded by the town as have other regions who will also shortly welcome
government agency staff to their areas.
“This 10 member Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation will
have 6 Government MP’s, 3 from Labor and a crossbencher making it a genuine
inquiry that cannot be stifled by Labor.
Senator McKenzie said jobs mean so much to country towns which is why there has been
such widespread support for the decentralisation plan.
“These regions have been denied a say by Labor, this Inquiry will give them the chance
to fully air their views,” Senator McKenzie said.
The Government’s Inquiry will examine a number of factors around decentralisation including regional development, developing capabilities of regional areas, boosting growth through decentralisation and the different models of decentralisation.
The Inquiry will deliver an interim report by the end of the year with a final
report by next February.