❓ Question regarding the McGowan government's support for regional projects and economic development in regional WA. The Minister responds positively, highlighting the RED grants program and criticising the opposition's lack of policy.
AnsweredQoN 32Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
REGIONAL
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS PROGRAM
32. Ms J.L. HANNS to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the McGowan government's
continued support for the development of regional projects. Can the minister
advise the house how this government is creating new economic opportunities and
supporting the development of businesses in regional Western Australia, and can
the minister advise the house whether he is aware of any other policies or
positions across regional Western Australia?
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS PROGRAM
32. Ms J.L. HANNS to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the McGowan government's
continued support for the development of regional projects. Can the minister
advise the house how this government is creating new economic opportunities and
supporting the development of businesses in regional Western Australia, and can
the minister advise the house whether he is aware of any other policies or
positions across regional Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Absolutely
I can, and I thank the member for Collie–Preston for her incredible
work in helping to build new economic futures not only in Collie, but
also right across the electorate.
I want to particularly talk about
the regional economic development grants scheme, known as the RED grants
program. Since 2017, we have seen an impressive 331 individual projects in
regional Western Australia receive a total of $33 million. That grants scheme
was championed by the former minister Hon Alannah MacTiernan. She was
passionate about it. What an amazing legacy she has left! In the last round of
the RED grants, the member's electorate of Collie–Preston did
particularly well, with three very solid, thought-out projects in the south
west receiving grants. Capel Marron Farm, which supplies a large number of
marron to outlets right across the region, received
$323 000 to develop a large-scale hospitality venue and tourism experience
based around the iconic marron . This incredible initiative is a fantastic
opportunity for the people of Capel. Tangled Investments in Donnybrook received
$100 000 as part of a $1 million project to renovate the first floor of the old
hotel to create 15 bedrooms that will offer
premium hotel accommodation in the town. That is another great project. Lennard
Waste in Dardanup also received a $100 000 contribution towards a $1.1 million
upgrade of its wastewater resource recovery facility.
We are very clear about our vision
for regional economic development, and the RED grants are an important part of
that. The government is about building resilience, innovation, new
opportunities, diversity and taking advantage of new industries in renewables
and particularly manufacturing right across regional Western Australia. We have
empowered the development commissions to drive that agenda. We want strong
regional communities to develop strong local economies because we know that the
two go hand in hand. Supporting business directly unlocks incredible
opportunities. This fits with our broader vision of having strong investment in
hospitals, transport infrastructure, schools and community safety in regional Western
Australia. There has been a record $12 billion of investment right across the regions.
In response to the second part of
the member's question, no, I do not know of other policy options. There
is a policy-free zone out there. In fact, when I go to regional WA and mention
the opposition—in fact, I do not have to mention the opposition as
people mention it to me—people say that the opposition whinges,
complains and has no ideas. That is the feedback I get. Where is the opposition
on regional development? Only this week, a person purporting to represent the
Liberal Party's policy division called the regional development
commissions, letting them know that they were currently drafting a policy on
investing in regional towns and seeking input on renewable energy, water, gas,
electricity and streetscape improvements in the regions. Imagine the Liberal
Party admiring this government's policy so much that it contacts the
development commissions for ideas! I bet the Nationals WA had no idea about
that. I think there is a bit of a cunning plan out there. I know that an
alliance is being developed about who might
go for what seat, and some little deals are being done to protect upper house
members, but they are out there looking for policies from the Labor
government. I thought about what advice I could give to the Leader of the
Opposition on this issue, so I looked around and went to horoscopes.com. His
horoscope today —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr D.T. PUNCH : I took the
lead from the Minister for Transport and it is a little bit off the mark. The
horoscope started off by saying —
Your warm, sensitive nature is
perfectly suited to today's aspects �
I am not sure about that. It
continues —
Your emotional energy is strongly
tied to your heart, and you will find that there's a longing to be
close to others. Indulge in conversation with close friends and let your
imagination run wild.
I suggest that the Leader of the
Opposition have a chat with his Liberal colleagues and see whether they can let
their imaginations run wild and create a few opportunities for policy
development. There is one last comment on the horoscope. It said —
Your creativity is especially piqued
today, so start an art project or write a song that inspires or perhaps changes
the world.
I think he might have a bit of
competition from the member for Dawesville in that respect!
The SPEAKER : Unfortunately,
that is weirdly reminding me of the member for Southern River yesterday. There
has been love in the room on both days! The last question goes to the Deputy
Leader of the Opposition.
I can, and I thank the member for Collie–Preston for her incredible
work in helping to build new economic futures not only in Collie, but
also right across the electorate.
I want to particularly talk about
the regional economic development grants scheme, known as the RED grants
program. Since 2017, we have seen an impressive 331 individual projects in
regional Western Australia receive a total of $33 million. That grants scheme
was championed by the former minister Hon Alannah MacTiernan. She was
passionate about it. What an amazing legacy she has left! In the last round of
the RED grants, the member's electorate of Collie–Preston did
particularly well, with three very solid, thought-out projects in the south
west receiving grants. Capel Marron Farm, which supplies a large number of
marron to outlets right across the region, received
$323 000 to develop a large-scale hospitality venue and tourism experience
based around the iconic marron . This incredible initiative is a fantastic
opportunity for the people of Capel. Tangled Investments in Donnybrook received
$100 000 as part of a $1 million project to renovate the first floor of the old
hotel to create 15 bedrooms that will offer
premium hotel accommodation in the town. That is another great project. Lennard
Waste in Dardanup also received a $100 000 contribution towards a $1.1 million
upgrade of its wastewater resource recovery facility.
We are very clear about our vision
for regional economic development, and the RED grants are an important part of
that. The government is about building resilience, innovation, new
opportunities, diversity and taking advantage of new industries in renewables
and particularly manufacturing right across regional Western Australia. We have
empowered the development commissions to drive that agenda. We want strong
regional communities to develop strong local economies because we know that the
two go hand in hand. Supporting business directly unlocks incredible
opportunities. This fits with our broader vision of having strong investment in
hospitals, transport infrastructure, schools and community safety in regional Western
Australia. There has been a record $12 billion of investment right across the regions.
In response to the second part of
the member's question, no, I do not know of other policy options. There
is a policy-free zone out there. In fact, when I go to regional WA and mention
the opposition—in fact, I do not have to mention the opposition as
people mention it to me—people say that the opposition whinges,
complains and has no ideas. That is the feedback I get. Where is the opposition
on regional development? Only this week, a person purporting to represent the
Liberal Party's policy division called the regional development
commissions, letting them know that they were currently drafting a policy on
investing in regional towns and seeking input on renewable energy, water, gas,
electricity and streetscape improvements in the regions. Imagine the Liberal
Party admiring this government's policy so much that it contacts the
development commissions for ideas! I bet the Nationals WA had no idea about
that. I think there is a bit of a cunning plan out there. I know that an
alliance is being developed about who might
go for what seat, and some little deals are being done to protect upper house
members, but they are out there looking for policies from the Labor
government. I thought about what advice I could give to the Leader of the
Opposition on this issue, so I looked around and went to horoscopes.com. His
horoscope today —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr D.T. PUNCH : I took the
lead from the Minister for Transport and it is a little bit off the mark. The
horoscope started off by saying —
Your warm, sensitive nature is
perfectly suited to today's aspects �
I am not sure about that. It
continues —
Your emotional energy is strongly
tied to your heart, and you will find that there's a longing to be
close to others. Indulge in conversation with close friends and let your
imagination run wild.
I suggest that the Leader of the
Opposition have a chat with his Liberal colleagues and see whether they can let
their imaginations run wild and create a few opportunities for policy
development. There is one last comment on the horoscope. It said —
Your creativity is especially piqued
today, so start an art project or write a song that inspires or perhaps changes
the world.
I think he might have a bit of
competition from the member for Dawesville in that respect!
The SPEAKER : Unfortunately,
that is weirdly reminding me of the member for Southern River yesterday. There
has been love in the room on both days! The last question goes to the Deputy
Leader of the Opposition.
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