Media Release

FEDERAL Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has today applauded Treasurer Wayne Swan for listening to the voice of regional Australia.

“This may be one of the better budgets for regional Australia in recent history,” said Mr Katter.

“Whilst our hung Parliament 20-point list for the survival of rural and wider Australia directed us not to favour the ALP after the 2010 election, once the decision was made we thought it was only fair they be given two budgets, and we hope we can continue to honour that commitment.

“To Treasurer Swan’s credit, he has delivered a budget with a regional thrust – and I think there's a lesson here. It shows that when people vote regional instead of party, the money follows.

“The word regional was mentioned many times in the budget; money is being directly sent their way indeed of being consumed by the hungry metro areas.

“There is no doubt that we're getting a good result for the regions and that people who vote for a representative that will put their area first will reap the rewards.”

Meanwhile, for the first time, the government has allocated under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme 16,000 places exclusively for migrant to settle in regional Australia.

Mr Katter said the regional demographic migration, as it was called in the past and talked about by people like Al Grasby 40-odd years ago, ‘was only ever talk’ – but now it has come to fruition.

“This measure recognises the great need for skilled migrants in the bush. We need improved access to skilled professionals from doctors, dentists, nurses, to tradesmen and clergymen,” he said.

“Already reforms to the 457 visa program have greatly benefited our coastal and Tableland fruit and vegetable growers. Backpackers filling farm vacancies not only provide much needed unskilled labour but also return significant spin-offs for local businesses and our tourism industry. For backpackers - money earned in Australia translates to money spent in Australia.

“But we've got to be careful here because it’s a double-edged sword: people coming from low wage countries can undermine our award system and pay rates.”

Mr Katter said that as indicated by the 20-point plan produced after last year’s hung Parliament election, population growth alone would not resurrect our Australia.

“To this end, we also thank Treasurer Swan for including in the 2011/12 Budget a number of other measures specifically targeted towards and quarantined for regional Australia,” he said.

These include:

Regional Training

Almost $1100 million was spent on funding for apprentices and their employers last financial year. The 2011/12 Budget has now added a further $201 million to accelerate and allow mentoring for apprenticeships.

Mr Katter said: “We hope and we will be determined to ensure that this and other skills training measures will enable every person, particularly in smaller regional towns, to access apprenticeships and training programs.

“Adequate training is essential for the continued growth of our mining and resource sector and will enable everyday Australians to join the giant mining and construction workforces.

“With a skilled and enthusiastic workforce, we will be able to continue our commitment to opening up the North West Minerals Province and developing the Northern Australia Clean Energy Corridor.”

National Mental Health Reform

In the bush, preventing and overcoming mental health issues is a major challenge. Over the past few decades we have seen a sharp decline in Australia’s primary industries; families with their back to the wall have been forced to walk off the land; and suicide rates for rural men have increased.

The 2011/12 Budget provides $1500 million in new Australian Government initiatives in mental health, delivering improvements in support services, prevention and early intervention; access to services; and state and federal coordination.

Mr Katter said: “The people of the bush have long suffered in silence with limited mental health support. We will be pushing the Federal Government hard to ensure that the bush gets the lion’s share of this funding.”

Indigenous Health

To meet the growing challenges relating to Indigenous health, in the 2011/12 Budget the Government has committed to, among other matters, $113.4 million for 15 new or expanding Indigenous health clinics and 40 new renal dialysis chairs; as well as $35 million to enable Indigenous health organisations to achieve clinical accreditation.

Regional Aviation Access Program

Additional funding of $28 million has been committed for critical safety upgrades at remote and isolated airstrips.

Mr Katter said: “We thank the Treasurer for providing this much needed funding as often these airstrips are the only way of isolated communities to get food, mail and other essential supplies; let alone the lifeline they provide for essential services, medical treatment, work and education.”

Health and Hospitals Fund – Regional Priority Round

$1800 million has been committed from the Health and Hospitals Fund to support the development of health infrastructure in regional areas. It is anticipated that this will deliver, among other things,

improved elective surgery capacity; enhanced sub-acute care services and emergency department facilities; improved access to dental services; renal dialysis units; mental care facilities; and primary and Indigenous care infrastructure.

Mr Katter said: “For too long the bush has watched funding go towards making bigger and better metro hospitals whilst the bush misses out. We applaud Treasurer Swan for quarantining this funding for regional areas to ensure we get a fair bite of the cherry.”

Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program

$12 million in funding will continue the Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program, which brings specialist health professionals to rural and remote areas.

Mr Katter said: “A substantial morale boost is gained by having professional visit remote communities. But arguably of even greater benefit is the fact that through these visits, specialist professionals can better understand the living conditions and challenges faced by persons with medical needs in remote Australia.”

“MyRegion” website

The government is providing $4.2 million for the establishment of the interactive “MyRegion” website. This will provide information about regional and remote Australia, including transport infrastructure; health and aged care; education; social services; communications; and the environment.

Mr Katter said: “Information is a valuable tool, particularly in regional Australia where large distances must be travelled on failing infrastructure without a reliable means of mobile communication. Lives could be saved if information on road and weather conditions and health services is readily available.”

Sustainable Australia – promoting regional living

The government has committed $11.5 million over four years to promote the benefits and opportunities of living and working in regional cities. Funding will be provided via competitive grants, and the strategies will be developed in accordance with regional cities detailed future growth plans.

Mr Katter said: “Many towns in the bush are losing services and population to their big sister cities. The Treasurer has sought to arrest this trend in the budget through this program and the improved commitment towards the funding of regional services.”

Rural and Regional Aged Care

Many aged care facilities across rural and regional Australia are struggling to cope with delivering the high level aged care on a shoestring budget often reliant on community funding.

Mr Katter said: “The Treasurer has recognised this challenge and provided a $7.7 million increase in funding for rural and regional aged care facilities that are facing financial pressure, including facilities specialising in caring for the homeless and Indigenous Australians.

“In Kennedy, following successive of bad agricultural years and adverse weather events including cyclones Larry and Yasi, many northern aged care facilities have their backs against the wall. Such facilities are encouraged to apply for a portion of these funds.”