REGIONAL BUSINESS

In reply to the Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (21 March 2013).

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Small Business): The Minister for Regional Development has been advised:

The Sustainable Budget Commission recommended in 2010 that state government funding to Regional Development Authorities (RDAs) cease on 30 June 2013, at the expiry of the current funding agreements. However, in response to requests from RDAs, the state government established the new Regional Development Fund (RDF) in the 2012 State Budget. This funding amount is now at a similar level as current Commonwealth and local government contributions. The Minister for Regional Development recently announced $2.7 million in RDF Stream 1 funding to RDAs over the next two financial years. RDAs can further access $1.6 million from Stream 2 of RDF for eligible projects for their region.