REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:12): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment and Conservation, representing the Minister for Regional Development, a question about the Regional Development Infrastructure Fund.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: The Regional Development Infrastructure Fund was established by the previous government in 1999, with a commitment of $4.5 million per year for three years. The current Minister for Regional Development—who I acknowledge will not be the current minister after tomorrow, as we are going back to a recycled one—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: He's going to retire soon.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: That is right. However, the current minister has said that approximately $24.7 million in Regional Development Infrastructure Fund investment has supported an estimated $1.1 billion in regional investment, which has collectively created an estimated 4,900 new jobs. I note that the current budget allocation for the RDIF is only $3 million per year. In addition, I note that the minister has indicated that in 2007-08 the RDIF committed more than $2.8 million against 14 projects, with a total project investment of approximately $231  million, generating an estimated 800 new jobs. My questions are:

1. Will the minister outline the projects funded from the RDIF program in 2007-08?

2. Will the minister also provide details of each project in relation to the number of jobs and amount of associated investment generated through RDIF funding?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (15:14): I thank the honourable member for his important questions and will be pleased to refer them to the appropriate minister in another place and bring back a response.