Billions of dollars will flow into regional Australia as the Coalition Government stimulates economic growth in regions like the North Coast.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams says the Nationals-instigated Roads to Recovery programme will inject $2.5 billion into local roads, including double funding of $350 million in 2015-16.

Senator Williams said $565 million will be used to make Black Spots safer, and $248 million has been set aside for Heavy Vehicle Safety projects.

$229 million will be spent on a new national highway upgrade programme, and $300 million to repair and replace local bridges.

Overall $50 billion will be invested in transport infrastructure which is the largest by an Australian Government.

ABERDEEN’S new Fitzgerald Bridge on the New England Highway is now open to traffic after almost 18 months under construction.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the new bridge catered for heavier loads and formed an important part of the National Land Transport Network.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams has welcomed news that the Richmond area is one of 18 to be included in new Work for the Dole arrangements.

Senator Williams said areas of high unemployment across Australia have been chosen to host the first phase of the Federal government’s Work for the Dole programme to help young job seekers move from welfare to work sooner.

From the 1st of July this year, job seekers in the Richmond area aged 18 to 30 and who have been unemployed for 12 months or more and are receiving Newstart and/or Youth Allowance (other) are required to do Work for the Dole for about 15 hours per week for six months.

The Senate Economics References Committee today tabled an interim report as part of its inquiry into the performance of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

The Nationals Senator for NSW John Williams says the committee was due to hand down its report this Friday the 30th of May, but recent developments in relation to compensation for clients of Commonwealth Financial Planning (CFP) have meant the Committee will delay is report.

Senator Williams said earlier this month ASIC and the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) advised the committee that there were inconsistencies in the way in which the compensation arrangements for CFP clients were applied.

“The Interim Report makes the point that the CBA may not have kept the committee or ASIC totally informed about the compensation process for clients affected by serious misconduct by rogue financial planners.

Long day care services in the Richmond electorate can now apply for their share in the largest-ever investment in the professional development of their educators.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams says applications are open for the Federal Government’s $200 million Long Day Care Professional Development Programme (LDCPDP).

Senator Williams said all long day care services are eligible to apply with additional support for early childhood teachers, as well as services located in regional, rural and remote communities.

He said the $200 million package will help child care services with the cost of up-skilling and training educators to meet the requirements of the National Quality Framework.

“The Government recognises how difficult it is to hire and retain child care educators in regional, rural and remote communities and this package will help tackle the skills shortages.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Hunter John Williams says the Federal budget has delivered $150 million to strengthen agriculture and drive farm gate profitability.

Senator Williams says the budget makes key investments in research and development, a stronger biosecurity system, improved access to chemicals and stronger support for the fishing sector.

This is on top of the $320 million drought package announced earlier this year.

‘‘We inherited a budget mess and the government has had to carefully consider its priorities for agriculture.

The Budget has delivered –

· $100 million over four years for a competitive grants programme to deliver cutting-edge technology and applied research, with an emphasis on making the results accessible to farmers