Joyce announces new rural loans body

Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has announced a new Regional Investment Corporation to oversee rural concessional loans.

Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has been supportive of Armidale as a place to welcome refugees.

Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has been supportive of Armidale as a place to welcome refugees. Source: AAP

A re-elected coalition government will streamline the process of granting rural concessional loans.

Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce announced the Regional Investment Corporation, which will be the single administrator for the $4.5 billion in agriculture and water resources financing and concessional loans initiatives.

"There is a clear need for such an entity. We have seen over the past few weeks the sorry potential for states to delay and play politics with the commonwealth's loan products," he told the National Press Club in Canberra.

When asked whether the corporation could be based in Tamworth, in his New England electorate, Mr Joyce joked: "I can try".

"No. Let's get the thing bedded down in Canberra," he said.


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Source: AAP


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