JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
SENATOR THE HON. MITCH FIFIELD
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
MANAGER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE SENATE
SARAH HENDERSON MP
MEMBER FOR CORANGAMITE
31 October 2014
Commonwealth tips in $1 million for Geelong centre of excellence for injury and disability insurance
The Australian Government will contribute $1 million toward the establishment of an injury and insurance professional development centre in Geelong.
The commitment follows the Napthine Government’s $7 million investment to establish the Centre, announced yesterday.
“The establishment of this Centre in Geelong will strengthen the reinvigoration of Geelong’s economy, creating vital training opportunities and employment pathways,” Ms Henderson said.
“This centre of excellence will help put Geelong on the map as a global leader in the insurance field, building on the work done by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which are both located in Geelong,” Ms Henderson said.
“This is a welcome initiative by the Victorian Government and I’m pleased that the Commonwealth has been able to contribute to the establishment of the Centre in our region,” Ms Henderson said.
The Centre will be based at Deakin University’s Waterfront campus, and will provide training for over 1000 students over five years.
Minister Fifield said the Centre will help drive growth and innovation, furthering Geelong’s reputation as a dynamic regional city with unique expertise in the insurance field.
“The disability and insurance sectors are growth areas in our economy that will bring many new employment opportunities across the country.”
“With the headquarters of the National Disability Insurance Agency based in Geelong, and one of the first NDIS trial sites established in the Barwon region, Geelong is particularly well-placed to take advantage of the growth in these areas,” Minister Fifield said.
Media contact for Senator Fifield: Lydia Paterson | 0409 792 081 | lydia.paterson@dss.gov.au
Media contact for Sarah Henderson: | | Scott Barnes | 0403 946 593 | scott.barnes@aph.gov.au