THE needs of regional and rural economies will go under scrutiny with a House of Representatives Select Committee formed to examine its future needs.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison during his Bush Summit, speaking about ways to assist regional Australia during drought.
Barker MP Tony Pasin has been named to head the committee, which is expected to help achieve the Coalition government's plan to boost the size and scale of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry industry from a $60 billion industry to $100b by 2030.
"What is in the interests of rural and regional Australians is in the national interest," Mr Pasin said.
"Our economy was built on the back of primary production and our regions continue to punch above their weight."
Mr Pasin said there were some success stories in the regions, even during times of drought.
"We have a lot to celebrate and an exciting future for the industry," he said.
"I want to see this Select Committee bring together the stories and experience of how regional economies are diversifying, how regional industries are finding their way, and how regional communities are boosting their resilience and working together to secure their future."
- Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Click here to sign up to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.