Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud has congratulated the APVMA on continuing to improve its performance in last quarter's statistics.
The percentage of applications completed on time has risen again, to 86 per cent in the July-September quarter.
"I congratulate the APVMA on continuing to improve its performance," Minister Littleproud said.
"Even Labor concedes 'overall performance figures seem to have improved'.
"Decentralisation of government agencies helps reduce congestion in our capital cities and really boosts our regional economies with stable, long term jobs – decentralisation is a real economic driver.
"Country people have just as much right to government jobs as people in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. The enormous number of applicants applying for jobs at the APVMA in Armidale – almost 300 applications for 50 jobs – shows Australians support decentralisation. The huge number of applicants who want to move from a capital city to Armidale – 131 – shows Australians are keen to get out of the capital city rat race and traffic jams to country Australia.
"The fact 79 scientists applied for 19 jobs shows plenty of quality scientists want to live in Armidale.
"Who could blame them. Armidale is a fantastic place with a great country feel, an excellent university and good services.
"Labor is a city party which does not believe in equality for country people. Labor does not believe country people have the same right to have government jobs as city people do."
