Parliament of Australia: House of Representatives

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Review of regional development funding

Improving on how governments invest in new infrastructure in regional Australia is the purpose of a new inquiry by the House of Representatives Regional Development Committee into a new regional development funding program.

The inquiry requested by the Federal Regional Development Minister Anthony Albanese is to report on the Australian National Audit Office’s Performance Audit of the Regional Partnerships Program. The committee will 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 report 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.

Closing date for submissions: 30 June 2008

For background information: Please contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 2352 or by email: itrdlg.reps@aph.gov.au