Federal Member for Monash Russell Broadbent said students from regional areas who started university this year could still apply for a scholarship worth up to $18,000.
Mr Broadbent said Round 5 of the Australian Government’s Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarship (RRES) program has scholarships available for eligible students who commenced study in 2021.
“If you haven’t previously considered what financial support might be available, this is a fantastic opportunity for students from regional and remote communities from Monash,” Mr Broadbent said.
“Round 5 is still open to students who are undertaking courses from Certificate IV to PhD level and who started their study in 2021. I encourage everyone who is eligible to apply.”
Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the Australian Government had committed more than $62 million for the program since 2017.
“The RRES program has delivered more than 3,000 scholarships to help students from regional and remote communities access a tertiary education,” Minister McKenzie said.
“These scholarships have provided vital financial support to many students, some of whom may otherwise not have been able to afford higher education.
“The Australian Government is ensuring that no matter where you live you can benefit from our world-class tertiary institutions.
“We want to provide as many opportunities as possible for individuals in regional and remote Australia to pursue further study, and relieving the financial burden is one way to help them to do that.”
For more information and to apply, visit https://www.qtac.edu.au/rres-program/
The Morrison Government is supporting the return of live music, with Sandy Point Music sharing in more than $2.5 million, as part of round three of the Live Music Australia program.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the program will bring more original live Australian music to communities across the country – from pubs in the remote outback, to clubs in major capital cities.
“This funding will help the live music sector to re-emerge as Australians continue to get vaccinated and COVID-19 restrictions ease, allowing venues to begin to reopen and rebuild,” Minister Fletcher said.
“It is important that our live music sector will be primed to host performances and gigs when permitted to do so, and by supporting these local venues now, we are increasing opportunities to see Australian artists get back on stage.”
Federal Member for Monash Russell Broadbent said the funding will provide much-needed support for local live music venue to rebuild, while also stimulating the economy and igniting excitement back into our community.
“I’m pleased to announce that Sandy Point Music have received $28,367 for the Sandy Point Summer Series through round three of the Live Music Australia Program,” Mr Broadbent said.
“This critical funding will support the Sandy Point Summer Series in presenting a sequence of original live music events, supporting both local and national music artists.”
A Spokesperson from Sandy Point Music said they are excited at the opportunity to restart the Summer Series in 2021-2022 with the generous funding provided through the Live Music Australia Program.
“The Funding will allow us to invite back our local artists and production crews to present live music to our supportive and understanding audience as we navigate our through the easing of restrictions on numbers.
“We have a great line-up of events scheduled over the summer months. You can find our more about the program and Sandy Point Music at www.facebook.com/sandypointmusic,” the Spokesperson said.
This funding brings the Government’s investment to more than $8 million since the start of the program, supporting more than 300 live music venues and the recovery and sustainability of the live music sector.
Applications for round four of the program will open later this year, with funding to support venues from mid-2022 as they continue to re-establish regular programming of original live Australian music.
The Morrison Government is investing more than $1 billion into the arts and creative sector in 2021-22.
For the list of round three recipients and for information on how to apply for round four, visit: www.grants.gov.au or www.arts.gov.au.
Farmers and primary producers in Monash are a step closer to benefitting from the Liberal and National Government’s new Australian Agriculture Worker Visa.
The Government amended the Migration Regulations on 30 September 2021 to create the Australian Agriculture Worker Visa (Ag Visa) and continue along the pathway of providing an agriculture visa that will help secure the future of rural and regional Australia.
This historic announcement that the Ag Visa is now law ensures the visa will help secure the long-term labour force our farmers in Gippsland need.
Member for Monash Russell Broadbent said the Agriculture Visa will also create a pathway to permanent residency for those workers who will help secure the future of our region.
“We promised this Visa and here it is. The creation of the Ag visa under the Migration Regulations is landmark moment for the sector and delivers on our promise to have it in place this year,” Mr Broadbent said.
“The Ag Visa will be the biggest structural change to agricultural workforce in our nation’s history and producers in Gippsland are poised to be able to grab the benefits with both hands.
“The visa will be available to seasonal workers, skilled and semiskilled workers.
“And is not just those on the farm that benefit, the fisheries, forestry and agricultural processing sectors and will also get access to workers under this visa.
“Worker restrictions have always been a problem, but it has been taken to the next level with COVID and the subsequent international and internal borders.
“We now have a visa that will give Gippsland a long term, reliable workforce for our agricultural industries.
“The Liberals and Nationals will always stand up for regional and rural Australia, and with this Agriculture Visa we have again delivered.”
Today’s regulation provides a new Australian Agriculture Worker stream which will provide for the entry and temporary stay of workers across primary industries sectors.
This provides the pathway for workers to arrive with first worker arrivals once partner country negotiations are complete. Any workers will also need to meet necessary Federal and State quarantine requirements.
Fast Facts:
The Liberal and Nationals Government is investing in the future of Monash with $9.9 million in funding for five projects under Round 5 of our highly successful Building Better Regions Fund.
Projects to receive funding include:
Federal Member for Monash Russell Broadbent said the Government’s investment will deliver better facilities and economic opportunities for the region.
“The Liberal and Nationals Government is delivering the services and infrastructure our communities deserve,” Mr Broadbent said.
“We are backing these projects so local people have the facilities for the future, while creating jobs to boost our economic recovery.
“These projects will ensure our communities continue to be great places to live, work and play by encouraging tourism, visitation to the regions and protecting the environment
“I have worked closely with local councils and community groups. It’s great to be part of a Government that will listen to and deliver for our community.”
Under Round 5 of the BBRF, the Government has committed almost $300 million to support 295 projects across regional Australia, which will create an estimated 9,900 jobs during the project period.
This latest funding round takes our total support through the BBRF to $1.38 billion across nearly 1,300 projects.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Government is focused on ensuring our regions remain strong.
“The Liberal and Nationals Government is continuing to work hard on behalf of Australians living in regional and remote communities,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“That’s why we’ve committed an additional $100 million under this latest round to take total funding to almost $300 million. This extra funding will support more projects, more jobs and create more economic opportunities in our regions to boost their recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Funding for these projects in Monash is a testament to the dedication of Russell Broadbent MP.
“Funding under the Building Better Regions Fund supports economic and social infrastructure for the long-term benefit of regional communities.
“Infrastructure upgrades funded in this latest round will ensure our regions remain great places to live and visit, while helping support important regional industries which create jobs.
“Our Government is committed to delivering the best outcomes for regional and remote Australia, which is why we are providing local businesses, industries and families with opportunities to get ahead.”
For a full list of successful projects, please visit: www.business.gov.au/bbrf
