Thriving Regions Fund

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:33): Supplementary: will the minister guarantee to the chamber that the remaining $14.4 million allocated to the Thriving Regions Fund will be carried over to the next financial year?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:34): I thank the honourable member for her supplementary question. The Thriving Regions Fund is a $15 million per annum commitment from the Malinauskas Labor government, and it is to strengthen regional communities. It places a greater emphasis on projects—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —that act as enablers to regional industries to grow jobs and strengthen regional communities.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Some of the long-term outcomes that we are seeking from this $15 million per year fund is improved quality of life for regional communities; thriving, resilient and sustainable regional communities that attract and retain people to live and work; a pipeline of regional leaders providing a voice for their regions, and I mentioned yesterday I think it was in question time—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Can the two leaders either go out the back and have a conversation or be quiet.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —or certainly earlier this week about some of the leadership programs that this has been assisting with—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: She's trying to provoke me, sir.

The PRESIDENT: I know who is doing the baiting.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —and regions creating job opportunities and improved career options by capitalising on regional growth potential and overall stronger regional economies. I am delighted that we have been able to announce this round, and I look forward to further announcements in the future.