TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:35): It is an enormous honour to continue the work of strengthening skills and Victoria’s TAFE system in regional Victoria and right across the state and to have been appointed on Monday as Minister for Regional Development. I care deeply about Victoria’s regional and rural communities, and I am absolutely committed to working with them across the state to thrive and prosper.
For this reason, I am pleased to speak today about the government’s recent $1 million investment in an Australian-first consortium led by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, CSIRO, to accelerate food and fibre sector opportunities and innovation right across regional Victoria. I am very familiar with the significance and great potential of this diverse sector. In 2021–22 Victoria became Australia’s largest food and fibre exporter, contributing over $17 billion and accounting for 26 per cent of national exports. This new partnership will see Regional Development Victoria working with universities, Victoria’s regional partnerships, Regional Development Australia committees and Food and Fibre Gippsland to foster collaboration and drive advancements right across the food and fibre sector. Through this partnership we will make it easier for projects in the food and fibre sector to secure investment and commence their vital work in rural and regional Victoria.
This initiative reflects our government’s record investment of over $41 billion in rural and regional Victoria since 2015. The Allan Labor government is committed to ensuring that the food and fibre sector continues to thrive, creating jobs and prosperity for all Victorians. Together we will build a stronger and more resilient future for our regional communities right here in Victoria.