Mal Peters appointed to Ministerial Advisory Council on Regional Australia

Chair of Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI) and former NSW Farmers’ President Mal Peters has been appointed by Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean to a new Ministerial Advisory Council on Regional Australia.

The Council will enable regional communities to have stronger backing at the highest level of government and its formation has been welcomed by Mal Peters.

“My appointment to the Ministerial Advisory Council will further enable me to represent the needs and aspirations of the Northern Inland region and provide input on policies that will directly contribute to the betterment of our communities. There are numerous key areas that will need to be tackled in terms of health, education, transport, roads and the list goes on, Mr Peters said.”

Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean said the new Council was a key part of the Government's strong commitment to regional communities across the country.

"Our Budget built on Labor's record investment in regional communities with $4.3 billion towards key investments including health and hospitals, skills, higher education and infrastructure," Mr Crean said.

"Australia's economy is in transition and Labor has responded by strengthening the role of the nation's 55 Regional Development Australia Committees and driving a new place-based approach that will help deliver local solutions to local issues.

"We are determined to make sure regional communities can meet the challenge of an economy in transition and reach their full potential.

"That is why I am announcing the appointment of 11 eminent Australians to a new Ministerial Advisory Council on Regional Australia.

"Each member of the Council has been chosen because of their longstanding commitment to regional Australia. Together, they have a shared interest in the wellbeing of regional communities and the part Australia's regions play in the growth of the nation, Mr Crean said."