REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:01): My question is directed to the Minister for State/Local Government Relations. Given the minister's repeated statements in this place on 13 November that she is only responsible for the regional development aspects of local government matters, will she outline which of these responsibilities are separate from her responsibilities as the Minister for Regional Development?

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) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I have explained the machinery of government changes in this place on numerous occasions. The changes have meant that I have responsibility for legislation relating to the outback communities and that authority, and also the federal assistance grants (FAGs), and it's not surprising, given that they are both areas of state/local government that relate very much to regions.

My other responsibilities in terms of regional development have always had a very close synergy with state/local government development. They have always, as I said, had a very close synergy. I've enjoyed being able to leverage those responsibilities and look forward to continuing to do so.

Prosperity in our regional areas is extremely important to this state and, of course, local governments play an extremely important role in regions. They are a major, if you like, social structure in regions, so they are vital to any consideration of and planning around regional development and improving regional prosperity. I am pleased to say that, given my former roles both as minister for environment and in state/local government, and now in regional development, I believe those synergies are very firmly consolidated.

The PRESIDENT: A supplementary question from the Hon. Mr Dawkins.