STATEMENT BY
THE HONOURABLE JOHN SHARP, M.P.,
MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
13 MAY 1997
The Government recognises that regional Australia has particular needs, and is committed to ensuring that these needs are addressed in a coordinated and effective way. To support development of regional Australia, the Government has built on last year's achievements, with a further package of measures to benefit our regions.
The Government is systematically improving the economic and employment potential of regions by improving the outlook for their industries.
In addition to the specific initiatives outlined in this statement, the Government is pursuing a government-wide approach to maximise the impact of its policies and programmes on regional Australia. At the centre of this strategy is the Ministerial Working Group on Regional Affairs, chaired by the Minister for Transport and Regional Development. Reflecting the Government's commitment to generating lasting jobs, the focus of the Working Group is on the economic development needs of regional Australia.
This statement develops the initiatives contained in Rebuilding Regional Australia, released in conjunction with the 1996-97 Budget, and brings together key Government initiatives that will provide lasting benefits to regional Australia.
The Government is creating the economic climate that will allow business to invest with certainty, which is the only way to generate real and lasting jobs. It is making lasting reforms to benefit small business, is transforming our industrial relations system, improving our transport systems, making regional industries more competitive, introducing a Business Plan for Australian Agriculture, and providing targeted employment assistance for those regions most in need.
The $1.25 billion Natural Heritage Trust is the most important package of conservation and natural heritage initiatives that has ever been introduced in Australia. It will lay the foundation for the sustainable management of our land, water, native vegetation and biodiversity, resulting in the best possible balance between preserving our unique natural heritage and giving certainty to our resource-based industries.
The Government is also improving telecommunications services for regional Australia. The Regional Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund will provide $250 million to help regional communities and businesses take advantage of technologies that metropolitan users have come to take for granted, and provide a real impetus for business and employment.
Continued investment in transport infrastructure will also prove to be of enormous benefit to regional Australia. Not only is 90 per cent of the roads budget being spent in rural areas - generating thousands of jobs - but the improvements to our road network will give regional businesses faster access to markets and provide regions with better and safer links to our cities.
Through these initiatives, the Government is delivering on its commitment to regional Australia.
