Backing Regional News in Regional Communities

A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will strengthen and protect the future of regional media, with guaranteed advertising revenue for regional newspapers in every corner of our state.

More than 1.5 million Victorians live in regional Victoria, with more people migrating to our beautiful regional cities and communities every year.  

We know regional newspapers are the lifeblood of country communities, giving a voice to important local issues and delivering news that is dedicated to serving local communities. 

But with growing costs of paper and production, it’s becoming harder and harder for news outlets to keep up. 

That’s why a re-elected Labor Government will guarantee one full page of Victorian Government advertising in every regional newspaper per week.

This guarantee builds on the unprecedented level of support the Labor Government delivered for regional media throughout the global pandemic.

Labor understands the importance of backing regional media outlets. That’s why we supported Australian Associated Press with a $2.7 million grant to support print and broadcast journalism in regional Victoria.

Throughout the pandemic, we invested more than $20 million to support regional media outlets through advertising, supporting jobs and protecting local news.

Labor is doing what matters – backing regional journalists and their newspapers to keep serving their communities.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“Whether it’s a bushfire, a flood emergency or a global pandemic, time and time again we have seen regional newspapers step up and serve their communities in incredibly important ways.”

“Labor is doing what matters – backing regional media outlets with guaranteed advertising revenue so they can keep supporting their local communities.”