The exodus of city dwellers to the bush has exposed a gaping hole in regional infrastructure, says Sky News host Chris Smith.

“The coronavirus pandemic has changed our way of life and our priorities,” Mr Smith said.

“City dwellers are packing their bags and moving to the bush – looking for a slower pace of life.

“But the exodus has exposed a gaping hole in regional infrastructure,” he said.

Mr Smith said an Infrastructure Australia report has found local internet and power grids aren’t up to scratch.

“We know that rural and regional areas have been neglected for decades and the strain is starting to show,” Mr Smith said.

He said governments “of all stripes” have been pushing the decentralisation message.

“They’ve offered incentives and even begged us to make the move and get out of the city.

“But they haven’t stumped up the cash that’s needed to support a ballooning population.

“We need to do better than this. We’ve got to help Australians relocate, and new Australians relocate, and support rural regions and the process required to do that will create jobs and will create revenue”.