Member for Barker and Assistant Shadow Minister Tony Pasin MP has welcomed Shadow Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie to Murray Bridge today, joining him at the Murray River Study Hub to celebrate the first student graduation.

 

The Regional University Centres program was established by the Coalition in 2018 with the aim of supporting regional students undertake tertiary education without needing to leave the region.

 

The Murray River Study Hub is one of 16 Regional University Centres covering 24 sites across Australia providing regional students with high-speed internet, dedicated study spaces, computer facilities and administrative and academic support.

 

“All Australians, no matter where they live, deserve access to high quality education. Centres like the Murray River Study Hub here in Murray Bridge offer the facilities and support that local students need to access a tertiary education, which helps level the playing field with their city counterparts,” Mr Pasin said.

 

“I’m thrilled to be here today with my colleague Bridget McKenzie to celebrate the first student graduation. It’s a proud moment for Emily and her family. It’s also a proud moment for the us, as members of the former Coalition Government that established the program that has enabled Emily to complete her Degree through CQUniversity without leaving home or community,” Mr Pasin said.

 

Senator McKenzie said success stories like this are why the former Coalition Government had invested further funding in the Hub in May this year.

 

“As the previous Minister for Regional Education I saw first-hand how this program was improving outcomes for regional Australians right around the country. That’s exactly why, when we were in Government, the Coalition extended funding for the Murray River Study Hub in May, sharing in $27.9 million,” said Senator McKenzie.

 

“It’s vital that our regions are able to retain our young people and allow them to undertake further education at the same time. Living and working in regional Australia shouldn’t have to come at the expense of study. I’m incredibly proud of this initiative and of the hundreds of students across regional Australia who are graduating with university qualifications because of it,” Senator McKenzie said.

 

Media Contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8724 7730