Dick Adams (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Pearce for bringing this discussion on the area consultative committees to the attention of the House, but I am curious as to why she seems to think the committees have been abolished. I was involved in the meetings to set these committees up and in the parliament when they were first operating, and I was part of getting them to work in their roles of social and economic development in their communities.

When they first started, they also had attached to their role the regional development organisations, which penetrated into the smaller regions. The ACC was an overarching body to help facilitate those bodies in relation to the allocation of funds. Since then, the whole concept has changed considerably. During the Howard years, many became very partisan; others tried to soldier on and do their work fairly, and many did that very well—I remember the coalition ignoring some of them altogether as it came up to the election and many of the funds being allocated without even touching the ACCs.

I think there had to be a review. There had to be some changes to try and put some accountability back into these organisations. Fortunately, I have worked all the way through with the ACC in Tasmania and it has proved to be a very successful organisation. Many good projects have been started through their assistance. I believe that there will be one RDA committee operating there, and I am not anticipating any great changes in that operation. I have worked with the current chair, Dr Cory, and others, and have been very impressed with their interest and assistance in the new projects. Dr Tim Cory, Chairman of the ACC Tasmania, in a letter to the minister on 11 February 2009 said:

We have been extremely buoyed by the support and openness that we have received from the key agencies as we plan our transition forward.

Regional Development Australia is an Australian government initiative that aims to bring together all levels of government to enhance the growth and development of regional Australia—pretty good ideals. I understand also from the minister that the intention is to work more closely with the state bodies so that new ideas do not get hampered by having to go through two lots of legislation to get up and running. This will certainly take a bit of time, as memorandums of understanding have to be put into place and restructuring needs to occur to facilitate this.

The network will ensure that input is provided to the Australian, state and local governments—which was the original intention—on regional development issues and priorities, promoting regions to secure sustainable long-term jobs, promoting investment and regional prosperity, and raising awareness of programs and services available in regional communities. The network will also play a key role in ensuring that advice about key issues in the regions is provided to all levels of government. That was the original purpose of the structure, which got lost over recent years. I think the fact that we are still working in the same way, and in some areas, like in Tasmania, still working through the original body, though changed in considerable ways, proves that in some areas it has worked pretty well.

I thank the member for Pearce for bringing forward this motion. I am sure that she will be very pleased with a new, invigorated body to help her vast electorate of Pearce attract funding for those who need assistance and bring some of the priorities areas together.

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