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Answers needed on job cuts at Regional Development Victoria sought bt Melina Bath

Melina Bath questioned the Minister for Regional Development about job cuts at Regional Development Victoria. The Minister emphasised the dedication of the regional development team and listed various programs they administer.

By news@gippsland - 22nd February 2024 - Back to News

Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath's question is to the Western Victoria - Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development, Gayle Tierney, Why hasn't the government been honest and told regional Victorians how many positions have been abolished from Regional Development Victoria this year?

Melina Bath requests the minister to address the question on job cuts, additionally, besides the Tiny Towns Fund, and its programs

Regional commitment

Gayle Tierney said, "I am in a bit of a quandary as to exactly what is motivating Ms Bath in this question, because I can assure her that in terms of regional development there has never been such a committed, hardworking team as I have seen right across regional Victoria. Indeed right at this point in time everyone's entire families basically are affected by what has been happening in regional Victoria."

"Our regional development teams are actually part of the regional communities in which they live, so they are dealing with immediate problems. But they are also dealing with making sure that our regional Victorian communities are serviced well, that they have got the services they need and that they are gathering information we require in terms of coming up with the best possible place-based solutions to a range of issues that are confronting our regional communities at this particular time."

"While I am on my feet, can I also indicate my support and my thanks to our frontline people, who have been absolutely working around the clock ensuring that we have got the best protections in our communities," she said.

Position reduction inquiry

Melina Bath said, "On a point of order, President, I would like to ask the minister to actually answer the question I have asked about the number of positions abolished from regional Victoria." The President brings the minister back to the question.

Gayle Tierney said, "Again, it is a matter of being sensitive to the fact that we have got regional development staff that are working around the clock at the moment, Ms Bath. So I think your timing. This question is a bit outrageous, because services have not been reduced in regional Victoria."

"Not only that, we are expecting more from our staff in regional Victoria as we are confronting these horrific situations, whether they be the violent storms that we saw last week or indeed the fires at Pomonal. So again, I think you are being a little bit insensitive, and to be quite frank I am quite disappointed in the question that you have asked today of all days," she said.

RDV staff programs

Melina Bath asked the minister, "Minister, apart from the Tiny Towns Fund, what programs will RDV staff be administering?"

The President said, "I am a bit concerned how that is relevant to the substantive question. Ms Bath, do you mind repeating the supplementary question?"

Ms Bath said, "Apart from the Tiny Towns Fund, what programs will the RDV staff that are remaining in RDV be administering?"

The President said, "I am just a bit concerned that it has got a greater scope than the substantive, but I will call the minister to answer as she sees fit."

RDV programs update

Gayle Tierney said, " I thank Ms Bath for providing me with an opportunity to talk about the work that our staff in RDV are undertaking. Apart from dealing with the current situation that I dealt with in terms of answering the substantive question, the other major fund of $150 million is the worker accommodation fund, which has captured the serious interest of a range of employers, industries and councils."

"And that is because, as Ms Bath should know, there is a shortage of accommodation for workers in regional Victoria in particular. Applications are currently open in respect to that, as are applications for the small town fund, and of course there are monkeys that are for local councils in terms of the $25 million. All of this is part and parcel of the $2 billion regional investment package that we announced some time ago," she said.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com