Thursday, 24 March 2022

Ministers statements: rural and regional employment

Ms THOMAS (Macedon—Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development) (14:07): I rise to update the house on an extraordinary achievement. Backed by the Andrews Labor government, rural and regional Victoria is booming. Today’s ABS data shows us that Victoria has a record low regional unemployment rate of 3 per cent, the lowest in the nation, and 3.5 per cent lower than when those on the other side were last in government. Of course we all know that agriculture continues to underpin our rural and regional economies, and we are so proud that Victoria is the largest agriculture producer in the nation and accounts for $17.8 billion of production and more than 74 000 direct jobs. Our flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund is of course a key part of our success in rural and regional Victoria, and since 2015 it has delivered almost $700 million of funding supporting the creation or retention of around 13 000 jobs.

But behind these numbers there are important stories—stories of opportunity, hope and dignity. Like that of Ashleigh Angwin, a dental lab technician who I had the pleasure of meeting recently at the Latrobe Community Health Service dental prosthetics lab in Churchill. Our support for the clinic has enabled Ashleigh to complete her apprenticeship locally and given her a secure career in high-value manufacturing in the Latrobe Valley, a place that she is proud to call home. Wherever they live, whatever their postcode, from Shepparton to Brighton, Victorians deserve a secure job, a decent home and to know that their government has their back— (Time expired)