MP Evaluates Regional Deal; Oakeshott Delivers Progress Report on Initiatives Struck in Deal with Labor to Form Government

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Byline: Daniel Burdon APN Newsdesk

THE AGREEMENTDELIVERED:

$1.8 billion for health and hospitals.

$2.1 billion for regional development.

$500 million for TAFEs.

$41 million for general practises and primary care.

$66 million for regional businesses and workers.

$8 million to establish the Regional Australia Institute.

Creation of a Cabinet-level Minister for Regional Australia.

IN HIS now famous 17-minute speech to announce his support for Labor to form government in September 2010, independent MP Rob Oakeshott hinted at what was to come for regional Australia during the 43rd Parliament.

Emerging from 17 hectic days of intense political negotiations, Mr Oakeshott said the agreement he and fellow independent Tony Windsor had struck with Julia Gillard would aturbo-chargea regional Australia.

Making no less than six references to regional Australia, the speech was a transparent display of his priorities.

aWe are …