Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd like to use this time to talk about how important decentralisation is. One of the premier issues of decentralisation was the movement of jobs from Canberra to Armidale under the relocation of the APVMA. We now see construction of the long-term Armidale leased premises on Taylor Street on schedule for occupancy in mid-2019. The remaining walls in the basement have been installed and the slab has been poured for the ground floor. The lease of additional interim office space at 109 Jessie Street commenced on 1 August, with around 20 regulatory scientists operating from this premises. The Beardy Street interim office is reaching capacity. By mid-October, there'll be 48 staff based in Armidale. Further recruitment for scientific and corporate areas commenced in September, with 20 positions expected to be filled by the end of the year. A total of around 70 staff are expected to be located in Armidale by the end of the year. The APVMA expects that the new premises in Armidale will house the majority of the 150 APVMA staff by mid-2019.

This is what decentralisation is about. It's something that we're proud to stand behind. And I do acknowledge the members on the other side, because it was the Labor Party that fought against decentralisation every step of the way. Every step of the way, the Labor Party fought against decentralisation. In fact, I think it remains part of their policy. If you want to remove the APVMA from Armidale, vote for the Labor Party.