Regional Development Fund

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (14:34): My question is to the Minister for Regional Development. Can the minister confirm that $5 million of funding from the Regional Development Fund is actually set aside for the Upper Spencer Gulf and outback, as he has announced?

On 12 November, the minister announced that $5 million from the RDF would be set aside specifically for the Upper Spencer Gulf and outback. However, the government's document, titled 'Regional Development Fund guidelines and assessment criteria', clearly states, 'Where project proposals are assessed as being similarly competitive, preference will be given to those located within the area,' implying that the money is not dedicated to the region.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Frome—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Local Government) (14:35): I have had discussions with the member for Stuart before about this. In the last round, round 3, I prioritised $5 million out of the RDF, out of the $15 million, for the Upper Spencer Gulf and the outback, plus we allocated another $2 million for smaller grants. We are still going through the round 3 applications—interest was overwhelming—and I can assure the member that the priority of $5 million will be given to the Upper Spencer Gulf and outback.