Regions Rising heads to the Northern Territory
Australia’s only independent think-tank focused on regional issues, the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is heading north, with the last leg of its national tour, Regions Rising, to be held in Darwin.
RAI co-CEO Liz Ritchie says the national roadshow has reached more than 12 million people and aims to promote, educate and raise the level of understanding and awareness on issues impacting regional Australia.
Northern Territory Chief Minister, the Hon. Michael Gunner will deliver the keynote address at Regions Rising NT, where he will share his vision for the NT.
“The theme of Darwin’s half day event is Regions in Transition and the RAI will share its latest research on how government can play a greater role in helping to transition regional economies.
“The RAI will also discuss the significance of regions focusing on a population strategy and the need for an intervention at a national level,” Ms Ritchie said.
“Growing the population is one of the Northern Territory Government’s key priorities, and the RAI will share its knowledge in relation to a key policy lever that can help attract people – regional migration,” Liz Ritchie said.
Last year, the RAI launched its Steps to Settlement Success Toolkit to help regional communities successfully welcome migrants to their towns and cities – and help fill jobs.
“Our Migration Director, Shyla Vohra, will be at Regions Rising NT to discuss our work and the many lessons learned by many regional champions around the country,” Liz Ritchie said.
In 2019, the RAI changed the national narrative about job opportunities in regional Australia – with the latest update showing more than 41,000 positions available in regions across the country.
“In the NT, national job vacancy figures show there were more than 1500 jobs advertised in December, with many of those being professional roles,” Ms Ritchie said.
What: Regions Rising NT
Date: Thursday 20 February 2020
Time: 7:00am – 11:45am ACST
Location: The Hilton Darwin
Other key speakers in Darwin include:
- Simon Maddocks, Vice Chancellor and President – Charles Darwin University;
- Karen Vohland, Executive Director – Department of Chief Minister;
- Sandra Henderson, Director, NT – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade;
- Keld Knudsen, Director – APPEA;
- Emma Nesbitt, General Manager and Expert in Residence – Darwin Innovation Hub;
- Steve Edgington, Chair – RDA NT;
- Tim Hallam, Executive Director Origination – Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility;
- Tim Saul, Head of NBN Local NT/SA – NBN; and
- Paul Mertin, State Manager NT/SA – Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.
“We welcome the continued support from our event partners Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and nbn co who help make our series possible – as well as our state sponsors in Darwin, APPEA and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,” Ms Ritchie concluded.
For more information about Region Rising NT and to book a ticket today, go to regionsrising.regionalaustralia.org.au/Darwin
Media are invited to attend the event, and are asked to register their details.
For all media enquiries, please contact:
Amanda Barwick
M: 0429 142 232
E: [email protected]
