Wednesday, 18 February 2026

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:49): I would like to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is supporting regional businesses. Last week I was delighted to be at the Logic industrial precinct in Wodonga, which is the premier industrial hub in regional Australia, where I visited the new headquarters of O’Brien Logistics. Strategically located on the Hume Freeway and on the rail freight corridor, Logic is a major national logistics hub capable of reaching more than two-thirds of Australia’s population within just the next day with transport. The Logic precinct is home to 800 workers and a wide range of businesses from advanced manufacturing to transport logistics and industry training sectors. I met with Mark and Dean O’Brien, who shared how support from this government has allowed O’Brien Logistics to establish a new multimillion-dollar facility that has created 30 new local jobs and brought 140 jobs across the border from Albury to Wodonga – a real win for Victoria and an indication of our business-friendly conditions when you come just south of the Murray. I also launched the new $15 million Trunk Infrastructure Fund –

Melina Bath interjected.

Jaclyn SYMES: A Regional Development Victoria grant, Ms Bath. Trunk infrastructure such as water, power, sewerage, road network connections and NBN access is essential obviously for enabling new business investment in our regions. Grants of between $500,000 and $2 million are available to help develop or expand key sites, including industrial estates and employment precincts. Investment in trunk infrastructure can enable significant economic benefits and job growth for local and regional economies, which is clearly demonstrated by the Logic industrial precinct. These projects are all about economic growth, and that means jobs for country Victoria. We will continue to invest and talk up Victorian businesses on this side of the house.