The figures, which include 27 newly created positions, were tabled in Senate Estimates last week.
NSW Nationals Senator Perin Davey said the jobs all come under the Agriculture and Water portfolio, as part of the ‘‘Nationals’ decentralisation agenda’’.
‘‘There have been 160 jobs created in New England through relocating the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to Armidale, while the relocation of the Regional Investment Corporation to Orange has led to 25 new jobs being created there,’’ she said.
‘‘The Riverina, one of the country’s most productive and agriculturally diverse regions, is now home to AgriFutures Australia, which has relocated from Canberra and brought 24 new jobs with it.
‘‘And in the Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development portfolio, we’ve seen regional offices opened along the Inland Rail route, including at Dubbo and Moree, with a further 25 going to Orange as part of the Regional Programs Branch.
‘‘The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has also recently established an office at Coffs Harbour.’’
Senator Davey flagged further plans to relocate 76 Murray Darling Basin Authority positions to Basin communities, including 30 positions to Griffith.
‘‘Those that manage the river should live on the river, and over the next two years, we’ll see more staff from the authority based in communities that are directly impacted by the Murray Darling Basin Plan and the authority’s decisions,’’ she said.
‘‘Our regional centres are wonderful places to live, work and raise a family, and it’s critically important, now more than ever, that the Commonwealth Government continues to invest in our regional communities through the Nationals’ decentralisation agenda.
‘‘The Nationals are committed to seeing regional communities benefit from decentralisation, and it makes sense to have as many Commonwealth public servants as possible located near where their work is, so our regions can continue to provide great career opportunities to those living in the bush, as well as those looking to relocate.’’