There has never been a more regionally-focused government in Australia’s history, Riverina Nationals’ MP, Michael McCormack, told a meeting of 14 Central West Councils in Canberra.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr McCormack made the comment while hosting a Centroc general board meeting at Parliament House on August 10.
Mr McCormack arranged for eight ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, and the Minister for Regional Development, Regional Communications and Local Government and Territories, Senator Fiona Nash, to meet with Centroc representatives, including Parkes Shire Council Mayor Ken Keith and general manager Kent Boyd.
“There are more regional Members of Parliament around the Cabinet table than there has been in decades, if ever, and so we need to take advantage of it,” Mr McCormack told the Centroc representatives.
Councillor Keith said it was very important for Central West Councils to have the opportunity to discuss with the government ministers issues, such as the Inland Rail, the cost of energy, health infrastructure and doctors for the country.
“These are topics that are so vital to rural NSW and communities like Parkes,” Cr Keith said.
Mr McCormack, who is Small Business Minister, spoke of how the Liberal and Nationals Government was boosting small businesses in the Central West, including reducing the company tax to 27.5 per cent – the lowest rate since 1940.
Mr McCormack also said how the Government was co-funding with telecommunications companies and state governments the construction of some 765 mobile telephone towers to improve communications in country areas.
He spoke of the Building Better Regions Program, through which he was able to obtain $420,000 for a new Aussie Biscuits factory at Forbes and $950,000 for the proposed Grenfell medical centre.
Centroc chairman and Mayor of Lachlan Shire, Cr John Medcalf, thanked Mr McCormack for hosting the board meeting and for arranging the impressive line-up of ministers.
“It’s good that Centroc could get exposure to the ministers and they can take on board the issues within our area to help advocate for us,” Cr Medcalf said.
Among the issues raised by Centroc councillors were health, the NBN, transport, energy costs and regional development.
Centroc comprises the councils of Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Central Tablelands Water, Cowra, Forbes, Hilltops, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Upper Lachlan and Weddin.