Regional Australia is more than just our food bowl, our fibre hub or the home of the Australian resource sector – it is home to millions of hard-working Australians who make a significant contribution to our national identity, our culture and way of life.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 15 March 2022

Regional Australia is more than just our food bowl, our fibre hub or the home of the Australian resource sector – it is home to millions of hard-working Australians who make a significant contribution to our national identity, our culture and way of life. The House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Australia today presented its report into Regional Australia. Committee Chair Tony Pasin MP, said ‘the pandemic, bushfires, floods, and droughts made the last two years an extremely challenging time, particularly for people in regional areas. It’s imperative that we continuously seek to improve the lives of regional Australians by investing in better infrastructure, connectivity and services in regional areas.’ ‘The report and its thirteen recommendations highlight the ongoing value of the regions to Australia and the need to ensure there is a whole of government approach coordinating activities across Australian government agencies, different levels of government, public, private, non-profit and community sectors to establish a nationally consistent plan in the development of regional Australia’. ‘A strong regional Australia means a stronger and prosperous Australia. Prioritising the development and growth of regional Australia is essential for Australia’s future, not only to fulfil our food, fibre and energy requirements but also to ensure the continued prosperity and sustainability of our nation’, Mr Pasin said. The full report can be found on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Mr Tony Pasin, Chair 08 8724 7730 Charlotte.Edmunds@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4508 regional.reps@aph.gov.au

People living and working in regional Australia are encouraged to contribute to a public hearing in the Tumut region on Friday, 14 May.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 5 May 2021

People living and working in regional Australia are encouraged to contribute to a public hearing in the Tumut region on Friday, 14 May. The pandemic, bushfires, floods, and droughts made the last year a challenging time for all Australians, particularly for people in regional areas. The Select Committee on Regional Australia is keen to meet with the local community to hear from people who live and work in regional areas and will commence its travel with a site visit at AKD Softwoods. Committee Chair Tony Pasin MP, said ‘the pandemic put a stop to our travel plans and we’re excited to be hitting the road again to meet and hear from people working in regional Australia and to get a sense of what has worked for them. We are very much looking forward to travelling to Tumut and meeting with the community’. ‘After a site visit with AKD Softwoods, we’ll be bringing everyone together for roundtable discussions to hear from a broad range of people. We want to hear the stories of how the impact of these circumstances has affected everyone, and what strategies they have used to overcome them’, Mr Pasin said. Community members are encouraged to attend the hearing and can contact the committee secretariat for more information. Due to COVID regulations and capacity limits, community members will need to pre book their attendance at the hearing. More information can be found on the inquiry public hearings website. The hearing discussions will be broadcast on the Parliament of Australia website. Information on the Committee’s work, including submissions and public hearing programs, can be found on the Committee's website. You can also track the inquiry and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Inquiry’ button on the right hand side of the page. Public Hearing Date: Friday, 14 May 2021  Time 11:15am to 2:15pm Location: Club Tumut - 24-30 Richmond St, Tumut, NSW Media inquiries Mr Tony Pasin, Chair 08 8724 7730 Charlotte.Edmunds@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat  02 6277 4508 regional.reps@aph.gov.au 

A new online survey is seeking metropolitan views on Australia’s regions as part of a federal parliamentary inquiry into regional Australia.

Media release issue date: Monday, 31 August 2020

A new online survey is seeking metropolitan views on Australia’s regions as part of a federal parliamentary inquiry into regional Australia. The House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Australia Chair, Tony Pasin, says understanding how Australians living in metropolitan areas perceive the regions is important to regional migration, business and growth. ‘Earlier this year we got a huge amount of feedback from a survey for people out in the regions, and now it’s time for city-dwellers to have their say,’ Mr Pasin said. ‘We’re particularly interested in hearing from the large number of people living in our big cities who are considering a tree or a sea-change.’ The impact of COVID-19 has affected all areas of Australian life, and the Committee is interested in learning how the pandemic might have affected Australians’ views on living in larger cities. ‘As a result of COVID-19, many people are realising the benefits found in Australia’s regions,’ Mr Pasin said. ‘We want to investigate this changing mood and see how the regions can be enjoyed by more Australians.’ ‘We already knew that Australia’s regions are diverse and complex, but as through this inquiry we’re learning they’re also consistently competitive when it comes to housing and liveability.’ ‘I encourage anyone who lives in Australia’s major cities to participate in the online survey.’ The survey is open until 16 October 2020 and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. The Committee is continuing to accept new and updated submissions, which can be emailed to regional.reps@aph.gov.au. To learn more about the inquiry or read submissions received so far, visit aph.gov.au/regionalaustralia. Media inquiries Mr Tony Pasin, Chair 08 8724 7730 Charlotte.Edmunds@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4508 regional.reps@aph.gov.au

As a result of the travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19, the House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Australia will be extending its inquiry into 2021.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 18 June 2020

As a result of the travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19, the House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Australia will be extending its inquiry into 2021. Committee chair, Mr Tony Pasin MP says the committee is planning to travel to regional Australian communities as COVID-19 travel restrictions ease. ‘We’re looking forward to the opportunity to further connect with people who live in the regions and to develop our understanding of the challenges and opportunities found across regional communities,’ Mr Pasin said. ‘This extension allows us to further examine how the Black Summer bushfires and COVID-19 have impacted regional areas. We hope to learn more about what our regions need in order to encourage growth, decentralisation and sustainability’. Prior to the introduction of travel restrictions, the Committee conducted site visits and community roundtables in northern Tasmania. Since then the Committee has held 12 virtual public hearings. If you would like to have your say about matters affecting regional Australia, submissions to the inquiry have now been re-opened. The Committee is offering organisations and individuals who have previously lodged a submission the opportunity to update their submissions in light of recent events. Both new and updated submissions can be emailed to regional.reps@aph.gov.au. To learn more about the inquiry or read submissions received so far, visit aph.gov.au/regionalaustralia. Media inquiries Mr Tony Pasin, Chair 08 8724 7730 Charlotte.Edmunds@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4508 regional.reps@aph.gov.au

Grain, legume growers and food and wine producers from South Australia will have the chance to speak with federal parliamentarians this week about the success of sustainable farming practices, as part of the inquiry into regional Australia.

Media release issue date: Friday, 13 March 2020

Grain, legume growers and food and wine producers from South Australia will have the chance to speak with federal parliamentarians this week about the success of sustainable farming practices, as part of the inquiry into regional Australia. House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Australia Chair Tony Pasin MP said his home state is full of innovative people making the most of the regions. ‘I’m proud to bring the Committee to my home state to see and hear these stories first hand. ‘We’ll bring together the stories and experiences of how regional economies are diversifying, how regional industries are finding their way, and how regional communities are boosting their resilience and working together to secure their future,” Mr Pasin said. ‘Among others, we’ll be meeting with the people from Pangkarra Foods in Rochester to learn more about businesses that grow and process their own products, and Myora Farm to witness first-hand the use of advanced technology in pig farming.’ ‘After some site visits with primary producers, we’ll be bringing everyone together for roundtable discussions to really flesh out what’s working in regional South Australia,’ Mr Pasin said. Community members are also encouraged to attend and speak to the Committee as part of the roundtable discussions, and can contact the secretariat for more information. Information on the Committee’s work, including submissions and public hearing programs, may be found on the Committee’s webpage. Roundtables Date: Wednesday 18 March | Time: 2.00pm (Food and Wine) 3.00pm (Regional Community) Location: Novotel Barossa Valley , Shiraz Room A, 42 Pioneer Avenue via Golflinks Rd, Rowland Flat, Barossa Valley, SA Public Hearing Date: Thursday 19 March | Time 2.00pm Location: The Barn - Oak Tree Room, 747 Glenelg River Rd, Mount Gambier, SA The roundtable discussions will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Mr Tony Pasin, Chair 08 8724 7730 Charlotte.Edmunds@aph.gov.au   For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4508 regional.reps@aph.gov.au

A Federal Parliament inquiry into regional Australia is starting its investigations by touring and meeting with regional business and community members in Tasmania.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 3 March 2020

A Federal Parliament inquiry into regional Australia is starting its investigations by touring and meeting with regional business and community members in Tasmania. House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Australia Chair Tony Pasin says Tassie is the perfect place to start an inquiry into the regions. ‘We want to hear about what works, and what doesn’t,’ Mr Pasin said. ‘We will be visiting local success stories in the Launceston and Hobart areas, including innovative economic development group Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone and startup hub Enterprize.’ ‘In Hobart, we will explore the “MONA effect”, and hear about how regional areas can benefit from tourism dollars – and the challenges such a shift can create.’ Roundtable discussions on Regional Business and Regional Community will be held in Launceston, and a roundtable discussion on Regional Tourism will be held in Hobart. Community members are encouraged to attend and speak to the Committee as part of the roundtable discussions, and can contact the secretariat for more information. Information on the Committee’s work, including submissions and public hearing programs, may be found on the Committee’s webpage. Regional Business Roundtable Date: Wednesday, 11 March 2020 Time: 10.30am to 11.45am Location: George Town Library Hub, 12 Elizabeth St, George Town Regional Community Roundtable Date: Wednesday, 11 March 2020 Time: 2.30pm to 3.30pm Location: Macquarie House, 92 Cameron St, Launceston Regional Tourism Roundtable Date: Thursday, 12 March 2020 Time: 1.00pm to 3.00pm Location: Eros Room, Museum of Old and New Art, 655 Main Rd, Berriedale The roundtable discussions will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Mr Tony Pasin, Chair 08 8724 7730 Charlotte.Edmunds@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4508 regional.reps@aph.gov.au