Regional Aust needs policy agency: MP

Independent Victorian MP Cathy McGowan has used what will likely be her last opportunity to introduce a bill to federal parliament to call for an Office for Regional Australia.

Ms McGowan, who is retiring from politics at the next election, says such an authority is needed to properly respond to a 2018 parliamentary report on regional development.

"We need an Office for Regional Australia because the regions are different to the cities," she told parliament on Monday.