Regional Victorians will finally be put front and centre when it comes to State Government decisions under a Liberals and Nationals Government.
The Latrobe Valley will be home to the new Department for Regional Victoria under a Matt Guy-led Liberals and Nationals Government.
The department will see up to 200 jobs immediately created in the Latrobe Valley, which will have regional people advocating for regional communities with direct access to a Minister who can put regional Victorians first.
Almost a quarter of Victorians live outside of metropolitan areas, yet regional Victoria is chronically under-funded and overlooked by the Andrews Labor Government.
This includes projects such as the botched Murray Basin Rail Project in north-west Victoria to our crumbling regional roads infrastructure, failed SEA electric venture and constant cuts to government funding for primary industries, regional infrastructure and trade.
Leader of the Liberal Party, Matt Guy, said the department would address inequity between the city and rural and regional areas.
“For too long, regional Victoria has been overlooked by the Andrews Labor Government when it comes to investment in key infrastructure,” Mr Guy said.
“The Latrobe Valley has been strung along by Labor. The community was promised new industry to create jobs yet Labor’s obsession with rushing renewables means more people in the valley are going to lose their jobs sooner.”
“This is a real solution for people in the Latrobe Valley to have long-term employment and establish careers closer to home.”
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria, Peter Walsh, said the department would ensure regional Victoria has a seat at the table.
“Under the Liberals and Nationals, the Department of Regional Victoria will finally see our communities put first after decades of Labor’s neglect,” Mr Walsh said.
“Labor’s city-centric decision-making has left regional Victoria worse off for roads, health, mental health, career opportunities and the rising cost of living.”
“That’s after Labor’s botched pandemic management that saw small rural towns under the same restrictions as Melbourne’s CBD.”
“The Department of Regional Victoria, as well as the Liberals and Nationals’ 25 per cent Regional Infrastructure Guarantee means regional Victorians will have the healthcare, education and transport infrastructure they deserve.”
