Regional development funding

May 15, 2008, 5:09pm,  140 views

A House of Representatives Standing Committee will conduct an inquiry into a new regional development funding program.

Regional Development Minister Anthony Albanese requested the inquiry by the Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

The committee will report on the Australian National Audit Office’s Performance Audit of the Regional Partnerships Program and make recommendations on ways to invest funding in genuine regional economic development and community infrastructure with the aim of enhancing the sustainability and livability of Australia’s regions.

The committee’s brief is to:

• Provide advice on future funding of regional programs in order to invest in genuine and accountable community infrastructure projects;
• Examine ways to minimize administrative costs and duplication for taxpayers;
• Examine the former government’s practices and grants outlined in the Australian National Audit Office report on Regional Partnerships with the aim of providing advice on future funding of regional programs; and
• Examine the former government’s practices and grants in the Regional Partnerships Program after the audit period of 2003-2006 with the aim of providing advice on future funding of regional programs.

The closing date for submissions is June 30, 2008.

Comment: Someone slap me or throw a bucket of cold water over me. Wake me up please.

Didn’t we just hold an election a few months ago to elect a new government? Didn’t Team Rudd outline a regional development policy?

Sorry, forget the last question, because I can’t remember it if they did. But Team Rudd was elected to govern and they should get on with the job.

The fact they need a standing committee to make recommendations on regional development funding is either (i) because they don’t know what to do or (ii) a stalling tactic.