Leader of The Nationals in the Senate, Ron Boswell, today announced Regional Partnerships program funding of more than $27,000 to assist in renovating and installing new facilities at the small stock meat processing plant at Mount Morgan. Senator Boswell said the Australian Government funds will help Vitellin Investments Pty Ltd to cover the cost of labour and materials to upgrade the meatworks including the purchase of a pig de-hairing machine. “The planned upgrade will improve the facilities including a chiller room, installation of a pig de-hairing machine, construction of a processing room and plant for pet food and smallgoods manufacture,” Senator Boswell said. "I came out to Mount Morgan last year and went through the meatworks, and I thought that it was a great little buisiness that deserves the support of Government, and we have been successful today in delivering the funds. “The Regional Partnerships project will not only enable the Meatworks to provide a quality consumer project to the local community and region, it will provide a facility which will provide employment opportunities in the region.” Senator Boswell congratulated the proprietor of the meatworks for working with the Central Queensland Area Consultative Committee to access Regional Partnerships program funding. “The CQACC do a great job in identifying and assisting to bring these kinds of community investment projects to fruition,” he said. The Regional Partnerships program continues the Australian Government’s approach of working with local communities to support their ideas.  A total of $270.5 million is available under the Regional Partnerships program from 2006–07 to 2009–10. Senator Boswell said the Regional Partnerships program would deliver benefits to communities well into the future, not only from program funding, but from the higher levels of economic activity and improved social amenity which the program was generating. “Since its inception in July 2003, the Regional Partnerships program has, on average, attracted a further three dollars from other sources for every dollar invested by the Australian Government,” he said. Communities should contact their local Area Consultative Committee* if they wish to seek funding through the Regional Partnerships program. ENDS Media Contact – 0428 714 779