Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) today congratulated the Coalition on their successful election win after an impressive campaign.
“The Coalition made several election commitments to improve productivity and liveability in regional Australia, and we look forward to working with our leaders to ensure those commitments are met,” says RCA Chair and City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn.
“We would also like to acknowledge the work of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Minister Fiona Nash and Minister Angus Taylor during the campaign to put the needs of Australia’s regions in their sights,” Van Styn added.
Regional Australia became a focal point for major parties in the eight-week long election campaign, as regional capital cities are home to four million people and service the needs of another four million Australians who live in surrounding areas.
Two-thirds of marginal seats were outside capital cities, with less than one per cent of votes separating the Liberal-National Coalition and Australian Labor Party. Regional voters sent a clear message to political parties that issues impacting quality of life, connectivity, education and health in regional Australia cannot be ignored.
The Coalition announced that Townsville and Launceston – both regional capital cities and RCA members – have been prioritised to receive a City Deal that will invest in infrastructure projects that will revitalise CBDs, create jobs, attract new students and residents and generate economic growth.
The re-elected Coalition also made commitments for a $200 million Regional Jobs and Investment package, the creation of the Building Better Regions Fund and a focus to work with local communities to deliver targeted skills and training programs to address regional skills shortages.
“The commitments made during this campaign demonstrate that regional Australia is not only part of the conversation but has also received a spot in the national political agenda,” says Van Styn. “We’re happy to see our alliance play a role in making this happen.”
“Regional capital cities need a clear role in national policy, and we’re starting to see how our leaders will stimulate job growth, improve productivity, prepare students for tomorrow’s economy and get businesses and people into the regions.”
“There is enormous potential in regional capital cities. Let’s keep up this momentum and harness that potential to create vibrant and sustainable communities,” Van Styn added.
CONTACTS
Sheri Shannon – Regional Capitals Australia Secretariat
P: 03 9614 7302
M: 0405 220 815
E: Secretariat@regionalcapitalsaustralia.org