BALLARAT FORUM ON WAY FORWARD FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1 August 2008

Joint Media Release:
The Hon Gary Gray AO MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Nothern Australia
Catherine King MP, Member for Ballarat

Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia the Hon Gary Gray AO MP today addressed local government, business and education sector leaders on the Rudd Government's agenda for regional development.

"The Rudd Government is transitioning the Area Consultative Committees - such as the vicCentral Highlands ACC - into a new network, Regional Development Australia or RDA which will have a much broader and more strategic role than the previous network.

"By building on and replacing the ACCs, RDA offers a real opportunity to provide a supporting mechanism for communities with a vision and the determination to make that vision a reality.

Mr Gray wrote to all ACCs on the 30th of May 2008 asking them to consult with their regions and provide advice to Government on:

• improving the engagement of regional communities, regional development organisations and local governments with the Australian Government;
• principles and priorities for the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP) to be developed as part of the 2009-10 Budget; and
• priorities for the types of local community infrastructure that could encourage economic development in local communities.

Today's forum in Ballarat was a part of this process.

"I have been pleased with the professionalism and enthusiasm with which ACCs have approached the three tasks," Mr Gray told the forum.

The result of these consultations will be provided to the Government on 15 September.

"We have a unique opportunity to implement a more strategic, responsive and flexible approach to regional development and I look forward to working closely with the people of regional Australia in implementing this agenda" Mr Gray said.

Member for Ballarat, Catherine King MP said that the Rudd Government has today shown that providing essential infrastructure and services is at the forefront of our Regional Development agenda.

"We recognise that regional communities, like Ballarat, are concerned about their long term sustainability, and today's forum shows that we're listening' Ms King said.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, chaired by Ms King, has accepted a request from the Minister that it conduct an inquiry into regional funding.

The Committee is also to report on the Australian National Audit Office's Performance Audit of the Regional Partnerships Program. The Government had to close the program after the Audit Office's damning report.

The Committee will also make recommendations on ways to invest in genuine regional economic development and community infrastructure to enhance the sustainability and liveability of Australia's regions. The report is due this November.

Media contacts:

Barbara Wise (Mr Gray's Office) 0411 265 337
Chris Carpenter (Ms King's Office) 0409 855 946

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