La Trobe University's proposed Rural Road Trauma Research Hub will receive $2 million of funding if Labor wins the federal election.
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Head of La Trobe's Rural Health School Pamela Snow said the potential funding would mean the hub could begin searching for a director if Labor forms a government after the federal election.
"Rural road trauma is a wicked problem of the 21st century," she said. "So this project is phenomenally important to La Trobe Univesity Bendigo and to regional Australia.
"Initially funding could be used to recruit a world-class director and some leading researchers... who can develop grant applications and make the centre self funding."
The purpose of the hub would be to combine research expertise from across La Trobe's Bendigo campus, including in rural health, psychology, pharmacy, engineering, planning, education and law.
It would also focus on reducing the number of people who die and are seriously injured on Australia's rural roads each year.
So far 90 lives have been lost on Victorian roads this year and more than half of those fatalities have been in rural areas.
"The recent spike in the road toll is tragic reminder that his problem remains and has not been successfully addressed by the excellent work from legislative and engineering perspectives.
"So much work already done but problem persists.
"We envisage the hub will, over time, explore the full spectrum of rural road trauma from prevention, engineering, IT solutions, and psycho-social consequences for survivors.
"The hub doesn't yet exist. It is a proposal reliant on announcements like this one."
Federal member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters made the announcement at La Trobe University's Bendigo campus saying the hub was very much needed.
"This research is vital. Tragically, we have already lost 90 people on Victoria's roads this year," she sad.
"It is critical to look at road trauma in the regions and that why I am proud to announce this funding from a future Labor Government."
Ms Chesters said the $2 million in funding would be half of what is required to get the Rural Road Trauma Research Hub.
If Labor is successful at the federal election the funding will be delivered in two parts - $1 million in 2020/21 and $1million in 2021/22.
Liberal candidate for Bendigo Sam Gayed said he felt the current government's promises for the region were very strong.
"The government's plan includes $2 billion for regional roads, (funding for) training centres for youth unemployment in regional areas and $200 million for community projects in regional areas," he said.
"We are very strong for our plan with the regions and feel it is much stronger than current promises by Labor."
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