Bob Baldwin (Paterson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, in writing, on 1 March 2011:

In respect of the Critical Skills Investment Fund,

(1) What total sum of funding is currently available?

(2) What total sum of funding has been allocated to (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14, and (e) financial years beyond 2013-14?

(3) In respect of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification-Remoteness Areas (RA), will there be a limit by (a) number, (b) dollar value, or (c) share of available funding, to the projects funded in this fund in: (i) non-capital city RA1, (ii) capital city RA1, (iii) RA2, (iv) RA3, (v) RA4, and (vi) RA5?

Peter Garrett (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations has provided the following response:

(1) $200,157,000 over four years.

(2) (a) 2010-11: $50,031,000 (b) 2011-12: $50,036,000 (c) 2012-13: $50,042,000 (d) 2013-14: $50,048,000 (e) no funding is allocated beyond 2013-14.

(3) At least $66 million will be allocated to support rural and regional businesses and workers. This allocation is not further limited and will be informed by the funding proposals received under an open and competitive application process. The Critical Skills Investment Fund will use the definition of ‘Regional Australia’ promulgated by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, when it is agreed.