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Calls to bring more government jobs to the Riverina are getting louder, with a new report showing regional NSW is an innovation powerhouse.
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New research from the Commonwealth Bank found regional businesses were more innovative than their metropolitan peers, with small businesses leading the charge.
“Regional businesses are already in the innovation zone,” regional banking manager Grant Cairns said.
“One of the reasons they’re leading the way is their increased likelihood to give staff scope to innovate.
“They’re encouraging people to challenge the status quo and expecting them to come up with creative ideas.”
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) managing director John Harvey said after moving the organisation to Wagga, he had seen first-hand that genuine innovation was “alive and thriving”.
“Wagga’s innovation culture understandably has its focus on solutions that will benefit regional Australia and not just the agriculture sector,” Mr Harvey said.
“The passion for our regions, unlocking its untapped talent and potential is demonstrated nowhere better than in the examples set by the local innovation pack.”
After helping launch the Get out of the City campaign, Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said he wanted the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee to hold a public decentralisation hearing in the Riverina.
“Just as submissions to the inquiry were calling on the government to move services to regional areas, to get out of the city and decentralise, I too am encouraging the parliamentary inquiry to hold its public hearing in a regional area, to hear from those in regional communities who have much to say and contribute to this discussion,” Mr McCormack said.
“Regional NSW, especially the Riverina and Central West, is the place to live, work and do business and I won’t stop delivering this message to Canberra.”
Find out more at getoutofthecity.com.au.