Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce controversially moved three Canberra-based research organisations to regional areas last year, including the the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, which moved to Wagga and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), which moved to Armidale.

However, many public servants oppose decentralisation and almost 50 workers have quit the APVMA since the move was announced.

Heated debate about decentralisation came to a Senate Estimates committee hearing this week, with Australian Wool Innovation chairman Wal Merriman saying they couldn’t move because there was no marketing expertise in the bush.

Griffith Business Chamber president Paul Pierotti said Mr Merriman didn’t know what he was talking about.

“If he thinks workers are so much better in Sydney and Melbourne then show me, because I can’t see it,” Mr Pierotti said.

“Those public servants who quit their jobs because they don’t want to work in regional areas, well more fool them.

“If they want to pay double for houses and struggle with the cost of living then leave them in Canberra to get rolled by the system and we’ll get the smarter ones who’ll appreciate the quality of our lifestyle.” 

Women in Business Wagga (WIB) president Genevieve Fleming said it was galling “that the public servants who ride on the back of our agricultural industries believe they are above living and working in regional Australia”. 

“More than 60 per cent of our country’s exports come out of regional and rural Australia,” Ms Fleming said.

“We need decentralisation to better support the industries and communities that are driving our economy. This will reduce the pressure on infrastructure in the cities and enable more people to enjoy lower costs of living and better lifestyles.”

Ms Fleming said her group supported the Nationals’ “get out of the city” campaign, which called on regional Australians to demand decentralisation.

The push to get Australians out of the major cities has been steadily growing for some time, with skyrocketing infrastructure costs and unaffordable housing being seen as a drain on society.

Regional Development Minister Fiona Nash, who comes from Young, said decentralisation could be a weapon in the housing affordability battle.

“Houses are affordable in rural and regional Australia, yet many young city professionals rightly point out there are few careers suitable for them outside the capital cities,” Senator Nash said.

“We can move well-paid government careers to the country where housing is affordable and this white-collar employment will drives many more jobs in retail, restaurants, pubs and coffee shops and give young professionals an option to get out of the city rat race without hurting their careers.

“Who wants to be stuck in city traffic and spend hours a day commuting when you can live in a great house in the country, drive five minutes to work in the clean air and be home in time for dinner?”

Riverina MP Michael McCormack said there was a clear benefit to regional communities from decentralisation.

“Every dollar spent in a country small business helps create more jobs, higher wages and better confidence,” Mr McCormack said. 

“It helps make more services available locally and vibrant communities for generations to come.”