Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-10-15 Daily Xml

Contents

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:56): I have a supplementary question. Will the minister also get some advice in relation to the feeling amongst the regional development sector in relation to the fact that, when the process has been applied to the funding partners of regional development, the deadlines have been hurried, but when it comes to action by the state and federal governments the action is very slow?

The PRESIDENT: I will allow the honourable member to get away with that supplementary.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (14:57): I am sure the federal government is doing everything it can to assist regional areas. I am well reminded of the significant amount of money in the water sphere, for example, that the federal government has put into assisting people in our rural areas, as indeed has this government.