REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:10): I have a supplementary question. Given that, according to your own press release, the funds that were announced would be available from 1 July this year, when is it expected that the pilot programs will receive their first funding from PIRSA?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:10): The funds are already available and, as I said, they will be spent on those activities that the regions themselves identify as priorities for the future development of their clusters. The funds are available, discussions and negotiations are occurring and that is the way we intend to proceed. It is a commitment that we have already honoured and we stand by that. As I said, it is about building on and enhancing the very valuable work that has already occurred in the regions. Our decisions, in terms of the exact spending, will be informed by the inputs from those local communities themselves.