REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:21): I have a supplementary question. Given that state funding to the Regional Development Australia bodies will cease next year, how does the minister expect the RDAs to continue the valuable role that they have played over many years in facilitating local RDIF applications?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises) (15:21): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Regional Development Australia is an Australian government initiative which brings together all levels of government to work at enhancing the growth and sustainability of regional Australia. A network of committees has been established throughout Australia to provide a strategic framework for economic growth in each region.

The key functions that underpin the role of the national framework of the RDA committees include things like: supporting informed regional planning to consult and engage with the community on economic, social and environmental issues, solutions and priorities; to liaise with governments and local communities about government programs, services, grants and initiatives for regional development; and contribute to business growth plans and investment strategies, environmental solutions and social inclusion strategies in their regions.

The funding agreements for the RDAs expire at 30 June 2013 and, as we know, funding for the RDAs is not included in the budget forward estimates from 2013. DTED is working with the RDAs and the commonwealth government, and I have put this on the record before, to explore alternative funding arrangements for their operations and for those particular projects. So, we are continuing to look at alternate funding arrangements.

In the meantime, the guidelines for the RDAs have nearly been released by the federal government, and the first round of funding will be available fairly soon. This will give the RDAs an ideal opportunity to use the road maps they have been developing to identify priorities for their regions and to demonstrate how valuable and worthwhile these RDAs are to demonstrate publicly the worth of these structures. They are currently placed in an ideal situation to show us their real value.