Last night federal Treasurer Scott Morrison handed down his 2018-19 budget, TradeFarmMachinery.com.au takes a look at the rural winners
 |
- The government will be investing $225 million into bettering GPS accuracy for regional Australia, allowing increases in productivity for regional Australia.
- Funds for improving water infrastructure – $140 million grant and $50 million loan for Western Australia’s Myalup‑Wellington project, $176 million towards building the Rookwood Weir in Queensland, $25.3 million for Tasmania’s Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme just to name a few.
- New funding of $102 million for biosecurity and $26.6 million to better manage pests and weeds. The Government says this will help farmers maintain access to valuable export markets.
- The Government will deliver $200 million for a third round of the Building Better Regions Fund, which supports regional infrastructure and community investments. “This is in addition to the Regional Growth Fund, which is investing $272 million in larger regional infrastructure projects that support long-term economic growth and create jobs in regions undergoing structural adjustment,” The Budget website says.
 |
- $28.2 million to expand access to sub-bachelor programs in regional areas, and $14.0 million to fund additional places for bachelor students studying at Regional Study Hubs.
- The Royal Flying Doctor Service has been promised $84 million in additional funding.
- Major infrastructure funding – $9.3 billion for the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail, $6.7 billion for upgrading QLD’s Bruce Highway, $400 million for Tasmania’s Midland Highway.
- $95.4 million to establish a Murray-Darling Medical School Network to support end-to-end training for rural students to study medicine in the regions.
- $338.1 million in new mental health funding, with a focus on suicide prevention, and research for older Australians.
- $51.3 million for more agricultural counsellors to help farmers enter new export markets.
·