Locals are being encouraged to support a campaign to get more government offices and agencies set up in Gippsland to boost local jobs. The Nationals’ Get Out of The City campaign, launched this week in Canberra, encourages people in regional areas to make a submission supporting decentralisation to a current Senate Inquiry. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said submissions to the inquiry into the effectiveness and consequences of relocating corporate Commonwealth entities closed next Friday, March 10. “The Get Out of the City campaign gives people in Gippsland and other parts of regional Australia a chance to be heard,” Mr Chester said. “People in our regional communities must have their say because this inquiry was initiated by the Labor Party to kill off relocating Commonwealth jobs to regional centres. “Every public service job in a regional town flows through the community and creates more prosperous and vibrant communities. I want to see more government jobs allocated to regional areas, where people can enjoy the benefits of a regional lifestyle. “We’ve clearly seen these benefits in Traralgon, where the Australian Security and Investments Commission (ASIC) Business Registry and the Department of Human Services’ Latrobe Smart Centre are located. “The RAAF Base East Sale is another example of a large, government organisation successfully establishing itself in a regional setting and becoming an integral part of the town and its identity, and an important economic driver. “Regional Australia deserves its fair share of government services and opportunities, and well-paid skilled jobs. I would love to see a centre of excellence established in Gippsland to create a knowledge hub that will continue to draw further opportunities to our region. “Technology and modern communication gives us the opportunity to reshape our regional communities. More government functions can be delivered from across Australia and no longer have to be centralised in the Canberra and other capital cities.” To make a submission supporting decentralisation, visit www.getoutofthecity.com.au or contact Mr Chester directly by email to darren.chester.mp@aph.gov.au.
