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Budget Priorities

Rural and Regional Australia

This Budget builds on the Government's earlier initiatives to develop the social and economic infrastructure of rural and regional Australia.

The protection of our farms from exotic pests and diseases is of fundamental importance to our rural communities.

In response to concerns over the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease overseas, the Government will increase funding for the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), the Australian Customs Service (ACS), Australia Post and airports corporations by around $600 million over four years. There will be a target of 100 per cent screening of all mail and cargo entering Australia.

increased funding to guard against foot and mouth disease

Consistent with the Government's cost recovery policy for AQIS and the ACS, the Passenger Movement Charge will be increased by $8, providing $288 million over four years towards the cost of the initiative.

Following the $562 million Regional Health Package announced in the 2000-01 Budget, this Budget's health initiatives deliver additional funding of $104 million over four years to increase the number of practice nurses in rural and regional areas.

more nurses in rural and regional areas

In addition to the increased university places announced in the innovation statement, the Government is providing funding for additional places in regional higher education campuses. 670 new places will be funded in 2002, rising to 1,832 new places in 2006.

more places in regional universities

The Government recently announced additional spending of $147 million over five years aimed at improving rural and regional telecommunications and internet services.

improving rural and regional telecommunications and internet services

In November 2000, the Government announced the Roads to Recovery local roads programme, the largest ever injection of funds into local roads by the Commonwealth. Of the $1.2 billion funding allocated for the programme, some $850 million will be spent in rural and regional areas.

previously announced additional expenditure on roads

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This Budget builds on the Government's earlier initiatives to develop the social and economic infrastructure of rural and regional Australia.
The protection of our farms from exotic pests and diseases is of fundamental importance to our rural communities.
In response to concerns over the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease overseas, the Government will increase funding for the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), the Australian Customs Service (ACS), Australia Post and airports corporations by around $600 million over four years. There will be a target of 100 per cent screening of all mail and cargo entering Australia.	increased funding to guard against foot and mouth disease
Consistent with the Government's cost recovery policy for AQIS and the ACS, the Passenger Movement Charge will be increased by $8, providing $288 million over four years towards the cost of the initiative.
Following the $562 million Regional Health Package announced in the 2000-01 Budget, this Budget's health initiatives deliver additional funding of $104 million over four years to increase the number of practice nurses in rural and regional areas.	more nurses in rural and regional areas
In addition to the increased university places announced in the innovation statement, the Government is providing funding for additional places in regional higher education campuses. 670 new places will be funded in 2002, rising to 1,832 new places in 2006.	more places in regional universities
The Government recently announced additional spending of $147 million over five years aimed at improving rural and regional telecommunications and internet services.	improving rural and regional telecommunications and internet services
In November 2000, the Government announced the Roads to Recovery local roads programme, the largest ever injection of funds into local roads by the Commonwealth. Of the $1.2 billion funding allocated for the programme, some $850 million will be spent in rural and regional areas.	previously announced additional expenditure on roads