Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, will be meeting civic and business leaders today in Mildura to discuss opportunities from the Liberal and Nationals $2 billion Regional Accelerator Program.

Mildura’s local leadership, vision and economic advantage makes this amazing regional centre a prime candidate for this program that will help unlock the wealth of the broader Sunraysia region and take it to a whole new level according to Minister McKenzie.

“Through $2 billion Regional Accelerator Program, the Federal Government will work closely with regional centres, like Mildura, to bring forward their proposals for catalytic region-shaping investments that will strengthen and grow their local economies, create high-skilled, well-paid jobs and advance their strategic advantages.”

“The Liberal and Nationals Government continues to build on its more than $120 billion investment in regional Australia – the engine-room of our nation’s economy – ensuring a sustainable, prosperous and secure future for people living in the regions.”

“By contrast, Labor has no plan or vision for regional centres like Mildura. Labor Leader Anthony Albanese can barely bring himself to mention the word ‘region’.”

The Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster MP said Mildura is in the box seat as a vibrant regional service centre to take advantage of a regional investment program like this from the Liberal and Nationals Government.

“Sunraysia has a wealth of talented, innovative and enterprising business people, with a strong history in traditional sectors including manufacturing, resource processing, transport, agribusiness, and food and fibre processing, while forging ahead in emerging sectors like renewable energy, aquaculture, applied technology and design and recycling,” Dr Webster said.

The $2 billion Regional Accelerator Program is part of a massive $21 billion investment in our regions and infrastructure across the nation unveiled through the 2022-23 Federal Budget to make our nation wealthier and stronger, create tens of thousands of regional jobs and drive our economic growth.

The Regional Accelerator Program provides a targeted placed-based, locally-driven approach to investment that will leverage on the strategic advantages of our regions. It will deliver on the Federal Government’s key priorities such as advancing our manufacturing and defence industries, up skilling workers, and future-proofing our agriculture and higher education sectors.

Funding for the RAP will be delivered through dedicated Regional Accelerator rounds of 12 Federal flagship economic development programs such as the Modern Manufacturing Initiative, Trailblazer Universities Program and the Export Market Development Grant Program.

More information on the 2022-23 Budget can be found at www.budget.gov.au.

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