Linking Pemberton and the South West to Asian Markets.

The Pemberton Community Resource Centre is delighted to officially launch an exciting project ‘Access Asia Now’, aiming to link Pemberton, and the wider South West, to new and developing Asian markets.
 
Throughout 2016 the PCRC identified issues of differences in culture, language and business practices as barriers to local tourism and agri-businesses from accessing, developing and extending Asian markets.  Aiming to address this, the CRC has developed  ‘Access Asia Now’, aiming to provide Translation, Cultural and Business Training services across the South West. 
 
‘Access Asia Now’ will increase the ability of local businesses to communicate with Asian customers, to market products in ways that are culturally sympathetic and which maximise the potential to make a sale and to understand the intricacies and differences in which business is done across Asia. 
 
‘Access Asia Now’ will provide a comprehensive business solution for businesses and organisations who want to work in this space but just don’t know where to start as well as providing one on one support for those already developing projects but needing some assistance in maximising potential.  
 
Sarah-Jayne Griffiths, Manager of the Pemberton CRC, said “this project is a great example of how Community Resource Centres can spot community need and develop projects that fill those gaps, creating economic development within our communities.  The Pemberton Community Resource Centre is proud to be a trusted source of community and business training.  Now, through ‘Access Asia Now’ we can extend the relationship we have with the community to provide that hands on support needed to help Asian customers find our businesses, visit  our region and ultimately spend money in our towns.  Whether it be a local Winemaker who would like Tasting notes translated, a café that would like a ‘Welcome’ sign in Mandarin, a Hotel wanting a Mandarin website or an Agri-business needing product marketing, we can do all of that and more.   Businesses wanting more information can find it at www.accessasianow.com or by emailing accessasianow@outlook.com.  We really are looking forward to working with businesses to develop the service to be of maximum benefit to them.
 
‘Access Asia Now’ is only made possible by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program providing support to the Pemberton CRC.  We are incredibly grateful to the Department of Regional Development for providing support to us to develop programs and projects to encourage community connectedness and economic development and hope that this can be a great example of government, community groups and businesses working together for great outcomes in our region.”
 
Media Contact:  Sarah-Jayne Griffiths on 08 9776 1745 or at manager@pembertoncrc.org.au

Families, businesses and communities in Warren-Blackwood can look forward to improved telecommunications services thanks to a $69 million commitment announced by the Nationals WA.
 
Member for Warren-Blackwood, Terry Redman said if the Nationals WA were returned to Government, regional Western Australians would have faster and more reliable mobile phone and internet access.
 
“I have listened to issues raised across the electorate regarding access to internet services, the unreliability of satellite connections and the need for adequate broadband coverage in the region,” Mr Redman said. 
 
“Mobile reception and internet access is vital for business, emergency services, tourism and education in regional WA.”
 
“Our $69 million commitment will deliver greater social and economic benefits to people living, working and travelling in regional areas.”
 
The Nationals investment into regional telecommunications will include:

• $42 million to roll out broadband solutions in regional WA
• $20 million to continue the Regional Telecommunications Project
• $5 million to develop a Local Government Wi-Fi Fund
• $1.5 million to combat the rise of illegal repeaters by offering a subsidy for equipment
• $500,000 to advise on new and existing fibre opportunities

 
“The Nationals have a strong record having invested more than $105 million in regional telecommunications since 2012 through our flagship Royalties for Regions program,” Mr Redman said.
 
“We are proud to have driven the construction of 344 new or upgraded mobile phone towers and small cell satellite installations across regional WA.”
 
“While responsibility for telecommunications largely rests with the Federal Government, the Nationals proactive investment has led these developments because we understand the importance of appropriate telecommunications.”

Mr Redman said he was proud to be part of The Nationals team taking up the fight to get a better deal for regional WA.
 
“I understand the unique challenges, opportunities and priorities faced by the people of Warren-Blackwood because I live and work here,” Mr Redman said.
 
“The Nationals are the only party solely dedicated to regional WA and we can be trusted to ensure this important investment into telecommunications continues into the future.”
 
For more information visit www.nationalswa.com/policies

The Nationals WA have today reaffirmed their commitment to ensure regional people are adequately and effectively represented in the State Parliament.
 
Member for Warren-Blackwood, Terry Redman said any calls to reduce the number of Members of Parliament was simplistic and did not take into account the unique geographical challenges faced in WA. 
 
“I am proud to be part of The Nationals’ team of passionate local champions who are taking up the fight on behalf of regional WA,” Mr Redman said.
 
“Regional representation is vitally important for country people, who often engage their local Member of Parliament for advice, information and assistance on a diverse range of matters.
 
 “As the only party solely dedicated to representing regional WA, The Nationals WA understand the importance of ensuring country people have a seat at the decision making table in Perth.”
 
Mr Redman said any reduction in the number of Members of Parliament would result in increased representation in the metropolitan area at the expense of regional WA.
 
“Regional electoral districts are already expanding as electoral boundaries change and no amount of technology or travel options can compensate for this growth,” Mr Redman said.
 
“Regional electorates often span thousands kilometres and have a multitude of towns and communities scattered throughout each with their own unique challenges, opportunities and priorities. 
 
“Without an appropriate level of regional representation, these communities will not be considered a priority in Perth.
 
“The Nationals do not support any measures that would diminish the voice of regional WA in State Parliament.”

The Nationals WA will invest $61 million to improve regional road safety across regional WA if returned to Government at the March 11 State election.
 
Member for Warren-Blackwood, Terry Redman said today’s announcement reaffirmed the Nationals strong commitment to improve regional road safety and reduce fatalities on country roads.
 
“It’s a stark reality that regional WA has a significant higher rate of road death when compared to the metropolitan area,” Mr Redman said.
 
“While there is no magic solution when solving the issue of road safety, the Nationals believe a targeted, coordinated effort is required to reduce road fatalities across regional WA.”
 
Mr Redman said State Government initiatives such as the Towards Zero campaign and Road Trauma Trust Account (RTTA) have steadily reduced fatality rates, however it is clear some areas of WA required greater focus and a clear strategy.
 
“A collaborative and concerted effort from Government, industry and all road users is needed to reduce the number of fatalities on our roads,” Mr Redman said.
 
“This is why we will use Royalties for Regions, in conjunction with the RTTA, to make WA roads safer starting in the Wheatbelt where the death toll is highest, and then expanding successful elements of the program across regional WA.”
 
The Nationals WA $61 million Road Safety Strategy will deliver:

• $40 million to Safer Roads Fund
• $4 million to Road Safety Community Action Fund
• $5 million to Wheatbelt Road Safety Campaign
• $12 million to Wheatbelt Road Safety Force
• Review into the Road Trauma Trust Account

 
“The Nationals are the only party solely dedicated to regional WA and we understand the issues that matter to country people,” Mr Redman said.
 
“This strategy reaffirms our commitment to regional road safety and we will continue to work hard with the community until we reach the ultimate goal of zero road fatalities.”

The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) will receive a massive $52 million boost if The Nationals WA are returned to Government at the State election.
 
PATS provides vital financial assistance to regional West Australians by subsidising travel and accommodation for patients travelling long distances to seek specialist medical services.
 
Member for Warren-Blackwood, Terry Redman welcomed today’s announcement that The Nationals’ will increase existing subsidies, revise eligibility requirements and expand the scheme if re-elected on March 11.
 
“Unlike city people, regional West Australians often travel vast distances to access vital health services so this scheme is essential,” Mr Redman said.
 
“As the only party solely dedicated to regional WA, The Nationals’ understand the importance of ensuring all regional West Australians have access to specialist health services regardless of where they live.”
 
Mr Redman said The Nationals’ flagship Royalties for Regions program had provided a funding boost to PATS in 2008/09 but there was room to transform the program to ensure it better meets the needs of regional West Australians.
 
 “A recent Parliamentary inquiry into PATS highlighted a number of issues with the way eligibility is determined, the outdated subsidy schedule for fuel and accommodation expenses, the health services and the claims process,” Mr Redman said.
 
“This is why The Nationals WA are committed to the continual improvement of this important Scheme to ensure the standard of healthcare in regional areas, and access to services, matches that of the metropolitan area.”
 
For more information visit: www.nationalswa.com/policies

Warren-Blackwood to be big winner if Nationals returned to Government
 
The future looks even brighter for agriculture in Warren-Blackwood, with The Nationals WA announcing a $277 million commitment to support the ongoing growth of the sector. 
 
Announced by Leader of The Nationals WA Brendon Grylls today, the policy will build on the hugely successful $300m Seizing the Opportunity in Agriculture initiative made possible by the Party’s flagship Royalties for Regions policy.
 
Member for Warren-Blackwood, Terry Redman said The Nationals WA understood the agricultural sector’s role as an important contributor to the State’s economy and had put forward a policy to enable the industry to grow and prosper.
 
“The Nationals WA have allocated a record investment of over $600 million to agriculture projects since 2008,” Mr Redman said.
 
“Our new agriculture policy shows our ongoing commitment to this important industry by investing into research and development, marketing, infrastructure and education to grow this vital industry.”
 
The Nationals’ $277 million agriculture policy will deliver:

• $87m to continuing the Water for Food program
• $63m to fund Local Government lime and commodity routes
• $35m to increase grower group grants
• $40m to establish and develop and animal research institute in WA
• $50m to Genetically Modified research fund
• $2m to enable the Muresk Institute promote courses
• Examining the BAM Act to ensure NRM functions appropriately across all of WA
• Implementing recommendations of the Economic Regulatory Authority’s Review of the Railways (Access) Code 2000, to ensure mistakes of the past are not repeated.

 
Mr Redman said The Nationals WA had a strong record of delivering for WA’s agriculture sector and the new policy would serve to complement the important work already undertaken through Royalties for Regions.
 
“Since 2008, we have supported the development of the beef and sheep industries, grower groups, upgrades to vital infrastructure and improving biosecurity,” Mr Redman said.
 
“The Nationals’ policy maps out a clear path forward for WA farmers to ensure they remain competitive and profitable into the future.”