Selected government departments could enjoy a “tree change” and provide a boost to our region as the Coalition embarks on a decentralisation program – moving Commonwealth agencies and companies from city to country.
“I strongly support our plans to get departments and government bodies out of Canberra and major cities and into regional Australia,” Member for Wright Scott Buchholz said.
“In fact, I have written to a number of Government Ministers suggesting both the Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley as excellent options for house hunting departments.”
By mid-year, the Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash is expected to develop criteria for Government Ministers to assess which departments, functions and entities are suited for a move to the regions.
Based on the criteria, Ministers will report back to Cabinet by August on which of their departments are suitable to be moved to regional Australia.
Relevant Ministers will then present business cases for decentralisation to Cabinet by December.
“Government departments and Commonwealth agencies and companies moving to Wright would really benefit our local region. The Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley are ideally placed and our local area has a lot to offer,” Mr Buchholz said.
“Moving government departments to our local area would put more money in our towns, more customers in our local shops, more students in our schools and more volunteers in our community organisations.”
“Decentralisation will create career opportunities for our kids and bring better services for our locals.”
“I welcome the decentralisation of government jobs and I will continue to push very strongly for our region to benefit from this plan.”
