Budget Priorities Assisting Rural and Regional Australia A range of measures will assist rural and regional residents. The Government is improving roads, providing greater access to television and radio, and promoting regional tourism.
better roads and extension of the successful Black Spot Programme		An additional $138 million provided to the National Highway and Roads of National Importance programme will fund projects including the Pakenham, Townsville and Alstonville bypasses. The Government also will extend the Road Safety Black Spot programme, providing a further $180 million over four years.
improved access to commercial radio and television services		The Government will provide greater access to commercial radio in areas where licensees cannot provide commercially viable coverage. It will provide funding of $5 million over three years as a one-off grant per service for site establishment and equipment. The Government also will provide an extra $13 million over three years to improve reception in identified areas that the existing Television Black Spot programme could not assist. Alternative reception solutions include digital multi-channelling, direct-to-home satellite links and local cabling.
Regional Tourism Programme		The Government has increased funding to the Regional Tourism Programme by $8 million over four years, to further assist business enterprises and other organisations deliver tourism attractions, products and services in regional Australia.
cancer treatment services and aged care		The Government will provide $73 million over four years for better access to cancer treatment services for rural and regional patients. It also will provide additional funding to help upgrade or replace small aged care homes in rural and remote areas and to increase the number of nurses and personal care staff in rural and regional aged care homes.