Recommendations
Recommendation
1
11.8 The Committee recommends that the
operation of the SONA guidelines cease.
Recommendation
2
11.18 The Committee recommends it be
mandatory for all Regional Partnerships program applications to be developed in
consultation with local Area Consultative Committees.
Recommendation
3
11.19 The Committee recommends that Area
Consultative Committees must receive copies of relevant applications and be
afforded an opportunity to consider and make recommendations not less than ten
working days from receipt of the application.
Recommendation
4
11.21 The Committee recommends that the
Department of Transport and Regional Services incorporates and outlines
appropriate assessment procedures for multi-region funding applications into
the published Regional Partnerships program guidelines.
Recommendation
5
11.22 The Committee recommends that
multi-region funding applications be referred to all relevant Area Consultative
Committees for review comments and recommendations.
Recommendation
6
11.27 The Committee recommends that a
biannual statement be tabled in the Senate by the Minister representing the
Minister for Transport and Regional Services, listing:
- the Regional Partnerships program
grants approved in the preceding six month period;
- the Department of Transport and
Regional Services' and Area Consultative Committee's recommendations; and
- where the funding decision is
inconsistent with the departmental and/or Area Consultative Committee
recommendation, a statement of the reasons for the decision.
Recommendation
7
11.31 The Committee
recommends that the Government address inequities in the distribution of
Regional Partnerships program funding consistent with the ANAO Better Practice
Guide.
Recommendation
8
11.33 The Committee recommends that the
exclusion of the Australian Capital Territory government from eligibility for
Regional Partnerships program funding be rescinded.
Recommendation
9
11.37 The Committee recommends that the
Government review resourcing of Area Consultative Committees, and training for
committee members and employees, to ensure that they can adequately perform
their role in relation to Regional Partnerships program.
Recommendation
10
11.38 The Committee recommends the
introduction of three-year operational funding contracts for Area Consultative
Committees.
Recommendation
11
11.41 The Committee recommends that the
Government negotiates with each Area Consultative Committee in relation to key
performance indicators, including job creation and partnership support, to ensure
performance measures are regionally appropriate.
Recommendation
12
11.43 The Committee recommends that Area
Consultative Committee recommendations be disclosed to funding applicants upon
request.
Recommendation
13
11.45 The Committee recommends that the
Government conduct a review of the role of Area Consultative Committees to
ensure that their contribution to regional development is maximised.
Recommendation
14
11.47 The Committee recommends that the
appointment process for Sustainable Regions Advisory Committee members,
including selection criteria, be made public.
Recommendation
15
11.49 The Committee recommends that the
Government adopts a skills-based approach in relation to the appointment of
future Sustainable Regions Advisory Committees, including the two new bodies
announced during the 2004 federal election campaign.
Recommendation
16
11.51 The Committee
recommends that the Australian National Audit Office audit the administration
of the Regional Partnerships and Sustainable Regions programs, with particular
attention to the case studies highlighted in this report.
Recommendation
17
11.56 The Committee recommends that
projects that cannot obtain or have not yet obtained relevant approvals or
licences not be eligible for Regional Partnerships or Sustainable Regions
funding.
Recommendation
18
11.60 The Committee recommends that
competitive neutrality procedures be strengthened, including the introduction
of a procedure for potential competitors to lodge objections.
Recommendation
19
11.62 The Committee recommends that due
diligence processes be strengthened including a routine inquiry relating to
legal action against applicants.
Recommendation
20
11.63 The Committee recommends that no
program funding be approved for projects that do not meet Regional Partnerships
and Sustainable Regions guidelines and fail other tests including proper due
diligence.
Recommendation
21
11.67 The Committee recommends that it
become formal policy that ministers and their staff are kept strictly at arm's
length from decisions, including all relevant departmental advice, on
applications from their own electorates. The portfolio minister and his or her
staff should not be included in the circulation of departmental advice on
applications for projects based in the minister's electorate.
Recommendation
22
11.68 The Committee recommends that
Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, and their staff, should be prohibited
from intervening in the assessment of grants.
Recommendation
23
11.70 The Committee recommends that from
the 1 July preceding a general election, the following procedures apply to
grant approvals and announcements:
- when the Minister's decision to
approve or not approve a grant is different to the recommendation of either the
Area Consultative Committee or the Department, or the funding amount approved
by the Minister is different to the amount recommended, then the grant approval
decision be made in conjunction with the relevant Shadow Minister. The
Committee further recommends that all grants approved in these circumstances be
announced jointly by the Minister and the Shadow Minister.
Recommendation
24
11.73 The Committee recommends that the
government develops and discloses procedures to govern the cessation or
transition of the Regional Partnerships and Sustainable Regions programs.
Recommendation
25
11.76 The Committee recommends that the
government reviews the efficacy of a grants-based approach to regional
development.
Recommendation
26
11.79 The Committee recommends that the
Regional Partnerships and Sustainable Regions programs should complement, not
compete with state and local government funding programs.
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page