ARMIDALE continues to cement its place as a centre for agricultural excellence with Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce opening his new ministerial office in the city.
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Mr Joyce has wanted to relocate his office to a regional area for some time and Armidale was chosen for its location within the New England electorate, hosting eight of the nation’s beef breed societies and three agricultural research centres.
A spokesman for Mr Joyce said the opening of the ministerial office in the city was “extremely significant”.
“The previous agriculture minister had his office in Kogarah,” he said.
“Barnaby wants to promote Armidale as a centre of agricultural excellence.”
The spokesman said it was also about promoting and creating jobs in agriculture with 1200 people expected to graduate from university agriculture courses for 6000 jobs in the industry.
“These are the reasons he wants to have the office in Armidale,” he said.
“He’s already had one meeting with people from his department for a discussion on the White Paper. This way he can work from Armidale, rather than go to Canberra.”