REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:43): I have a supplementary question. Will the regional statement include a reinvigoration of the regional coordination networks, which include senior departmental officers, local government and Regional Development Australia bodies?

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, Minister for Gambling) (14:44): No; as I have clearly outlined, and as I announced in this place in a ministerial statement previously, this statement provides a wide range of different programs, investments and initiatives, and it is most important that we seek to connect those. At the moment there is very little available that makes the connections and linkages across those different programs.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: That's exactly what the RCNs were supposed to do.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: The RCNs are put in place to help establish regional capacity and coordination of local, state and commonwealth, along with community, stakeholders. Each is a peak regional body that is responsible for the coordination of whole-of-government activities and it supports the implementation of South Australia's Strategic Plan. It helps to implement advice to each of the regional South Australian Strategic Plan steering committees and also state government implementation of the plan at a local level.

Its efforts are particularly directed towards improved delivery of public services to optimise the allocation and use of resources and reduce duplication and overlap. Although these networks clearly have a very important role to play in that respect, the regional statement is about a broader policy overview that outlines a road map to the different programs, services and initiatives that are available.

I can assure the honourable member that the regional coordination networks will be given an opportunity to have their say in relation to the regional statement, so they will have an opportunity to input into that. I would like to put on the record what a really important role they play and what a valuable contribution they make to regional South Australia.