Businesses could be enticed to country towns to grow regional populations
The bush isn’t broken, and Australia needs to better sell the virtues of its regional cities and towns, says the man heading an inquiry into the needs of outback towns.
Australia needs to smash the perception that “the bush is broken”, the man leading an inquiry into the nation’s regional communities says.
South Australian MP Tony Pasin, who will head a parliamentary committee looking into the needs of rural and regional economies, has told the Sunday Mail Australia needs to better sell the virtues of its regional cities and towns.
“I think there is a perception that the bush is broken and that if you seek to make your career, or pursue an enterprise, in the regions, then you have less prospects than you do in the city,” he said.
“It is a wrong perception. But it is fed sadly by much of what we read and hear.
“We hear a lot about drought, we here a lot about regional communities being hollowed out, we hear a lot of stories about Australians living in regional communities suffering disadvantage.”
But Mr Pasin, who was hand-picked by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to lead the inquiry, said the committee would be tasked with finding stories from the bush to celebrate.
“We want to highlight that there are amazing opportunities in the regions,” he said. “The truth is that regional communities are often punching above their weight.”
The committee is expected to play an important role in helping achieve the Government’s plan to boost the size and scale of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry industry from a $60 billion industry to $100 billion by 2030.
“What is in the interests of rural and regional Australians is in the national interest,” Mr Pasin said.
He said there were growing population pressures in Australia’s major capital cities, meaning it was increasingly important to have more people calling regional Australia home.
He said there were a raft of areas the committee would investigate, including how better technology could boost health services.
The committee will also investigate whether it was possible to entice entire companies, or emerging businesses, to regions.
“Most of the time when we talk about decentralisation people think about moving public servants to places like Murray Bridge,” Mr Pasin.
“But decentralisation does not have to be limited to the public sector.”
Mr Pasin’s comments have been supported by a report released this week from the Regional Australia Institute.
The report, based on research conducted by the University of South Australia and Southern Cross University, focused on Australia’s four biggest cities, found that many workers living in outer city suburbs could be financially better off if they moved to regional Australia.
“Many homeowners in our state capitals are paying double the mortgage of their regional city counterparts, but have a similar average wage,” the institute’s CEO Kim Houghton said.
Speaking at the launch of the report David Matthews, a director at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, said with job opportunities growing in regional Australia, there is more reason than ever for those living in cities to consider a change in lifestyle.
“Regional Australia has so much to offer, be it more affordable housing, a quicker commute to work and a safe welcoming environment to share with your family,” Mr Matthews said.
“With an intelligent and sustainable population strategy, Australians, no matter where they live, can continue to enjoy the lifestyle that we’re most famous for around the world.”
The State Government has developed a $150 Regional Growth Fund and launched a public inquiry to guide a Regional Development Strategy.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said the strategy would deliver a government plan for investment, support and priorities.
“We recognise SA’s regions ... are crucial for the future prosperity of our state,” he said. “We believe this is a necessary step to ensure regional SA maintains and grows its economic capability and supports people in their decision to live in regional areas.”