❓ The Minister for Regional Development outlines the Cook government's support for regional small businesses through the Regional Economic Development Grants (RED) program, highlighting job creation, infrastructure investment, and specific project examples.
AnsweredQoN 726Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE ECONOMY —
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS PROGRAM
726. Ms L. DALTON to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
efforts to create jobs and diversify Western Australia's economy.
(1) Can the
minister advise the house how this government is supporting the growth and
development of regional small businesses throughout the regional economic
development grants program?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this program is creating more jobs and career
opportunities for regional Western Australians?
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS PROGRAM
726. Ms L. DALTON to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
efforts to create jobs and diversify Western Australia's economy.
(1) Can the
minister advise the house how this government is supporting the growth and
development of regional small businesses throughout the regional economic
development grants program?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this program is creating more jobs and career
opportunities for regional Western Australians?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
certainly will. I thank the member for the question and also for her incredible
advocacy for her regional community. Thank you, member. I am incredibly proud
of the record levels of employment that the Cook government has created in not
only regional Western Australia, but also Western Australia as a whole. We have
been able to do that through responsible budget management. That has enabled us
to invest in record levels of infrastructure, attract new industry into the
regions, maximise opportunities in health care—as we have heard from
the Minister for Health—and look at opportunities in education right
across the board. We know, members, that that has created jobs, but that is not
the only story. Small businesses, medium-sized businesses, local governments
and community organisations contribute to the diversity of economic life in our regions. That is why we
created the regional economic development grants system. In total, we have provided over $50 million of grants
over the nine years that we have been in office. We have co-invested in
community and small business–driven projects that drive economic growth
in the regions and employment opportunities, and create diversity that creates
vibrancy. It means supporting individual projects that contribute to
sustainable jobs and, importantly, build career opportunities. This is not just
about a job; it is about building a career in regional Western Australia so
that people stay in the regions, build
businesses in the regions and have a future vision for the regions. That is
what we want to see. This is about increasing business productivity and
replacing the need to import skills and capability from outside the region,
helping to make regions self-sufficient.
Across regional WA, we have
co-invested with over 320 projects, and there will be more in the coming weeks. I was recently in Geraldton with the member,
where we announced three successful projects from round 6 of the RED
grants program, totalling $606 000. Over the last five rounds, we have provided
over $4 million worth of grants into the midwest alone. I want to talk about
one fantastic example—Dongara Marine. It is an absolutely superb
example.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
Mr D.T. PUNCH : It did. It
is building a few ships. Dongara Marine has received $250 000 to increase
vessel-building capability through the purchase of two cranes for
enhanced lifting capability, helping to position it for Australian defence
maritime assurance programs into the future. Dongara Marine has been fantastic
in its employment. It currently employs 64 personnel
and is projected to go to 90, but, more importantly, it will offer
apprenticeships for shipwrights, fabricators and marine electricians.
Jobs in all sorts of aspects of the marine industry will be offered in Dongara
in regional WA, building capability and making Dongara Marine competitive not
only in the locality, but right across Western Australia and Australia.
The grants program is about
boosting local manufacturing, but we do not stop there. It is a diverse
program. Abrolhos Island Oysters has
received just over $200 000 to create a new oyster industry for WA. That
funding will assist with the completion of farming and processing facilities
before the 2024–25 season. Geraldton is going to be the place for
oysters as well as Albany, member. With that equipment, Abrolhos Island Oysters
will be able to process up to three million oysters each harvest season as well
as having excess capacity to process oysters for other producers in the area.
That will create five full-time jobs and four casual jobs in aquaculture. What
a fantastic outcome!
Over the five years of RED grants,
we have funded 86 projects from across the state in the food and beverage area
alone to the value of $8.8 million, helping to support downstream processing of
our ag and food sector, something I know that
members opposite might have an interest in. They were at the Buy West Eat Best
event last night in droves, so the proof is in the pudding, members. Our
approach to regional development is based on genuine engagement at all levels.
It is based on engagement with big industry, local government and local
business people who have a vision for the future of the region and want a helping
hand. We have been there to give it to them, creating genuine, sustainable
futures for each of our towns in regional Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : The Leader of
the Opposition with the last question.
certainly will. I thank the member for the question and also for her incredible
advocacy for her regional community. Thank you, member. I am incredibly proud
of the record levels of employment that the Cook government has created in not
only regional Western Australia, but also Western Australia as a whole. We have
been able to do that through responsible budget management. That has enabled us
to invest in record levels of infrastructure, attract new industry into the
regions, maximise opportunities in health care—as we have heard from
the Minister for Health—and look at opportunities in education right
across the board. We know, members, that that has created jobs, but that is not
the only story. Small businesses, medium-sized businesses, local governments
and community organisations contribute to the diversity of economic life in our regions. That is why we
created the regional economic development grants system. In total, we have provided over $50 million of grants
over the nine years that we have been in office. We have co-invested in
community and small business–driven projects that drive economic growth
in the regions and employment opportunities, and create diversity that creates
vibrancy. It means supporting individual projects that contribute to
sustainable jobs and, importantly, build career opportunities. This is not just
about a job; it is about building a career in regional Western Australia so
that people stay in the regions, build
businesses in the regions and have a future vision for the regions. That is
what we want to see. This is about increasing business productivity and
replacing the need to import skills and capability from outside the region,
helping to make regions self-sufficient.
Across regional WA, we have
co-invested with over 320 projects, and there will be more in the coming weeks. I was recently in Geraldton with the member,
where we announced three successful projects from round 6 of the RED
grants program, totalling $606 000. Over the last five rounds, we have provided
over $4 million worth of grants into the midwest alone. I want to talk about
one fantastic example—Dongara Marine. It is an absolutely superb
example.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
Mr D.T. PUNCH : It did. It
is building a few ships. Dongara Marine has received $250 000 to increase
vessel-building capability through the purchase of two cranes for
enhanced lifting capability, helping to position it for Australian defence
maritime assurance programs into the future. Dongara Marine has been fantastic
in its employment. It currently employs 64 personnel
and is projected to go to 90, but, more importantly, it will offer
apprenticeships for shipwrights, fabricators and marine electricians.
Jobs in all sorts of aspects of the marine industry will be offered in Dongara
in regional WA, building capability and making Dongara Marine competitive not
only in the locality, but right across Western Australia and Australia.
The grants program is about
boosting local manufacturing, but we do not stop there. It is a diverse
program. Abrolhos Island Oysters has
received just over $200 000 to create a new oyster industry for WA. That
funding will assist with the completion of farming and processing facilities
before the 2024–25 season. Geraldton is going to be the place for
oysters as well as Albany, member. With that equipment, Abrolhos Island Oysters
will be able to process up to three million oysters each harvest season as well
as having excess capacity to process oysters for other producers in the area.
That will create five full-time jobs and four casual jobs in aquaculture. What
a fantastic outcome!
Over the five years of RED grants,
we have funded 86 projects from across the state in the food and beverage area
alone to the value of $8.8 million, helping to support downstream processing of
our ag and food sector, something I know that
members opposite might have an interest in. They were at the Buy West Eat Best
event last night in droves, so the proof is in the pudding, members. Our
approach to regional development is based on genuine engagement at all levels.
It is based on engagement with big industry, local government and local
business people who have a vision for the future of the region and want a helping
hand. We have been there to give it to them, creating genuine, sustainable
futures for each of our towns in regional Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : The Leader of
the Opposition with the last question.
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