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

asked the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, in writing, on 1 March 2011:

In respect of the Priority Regional Infrastructure Program—

(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 under this program in: (i) non-capital city RA1, (ii) capital city RA1, (iii) RA2, (iv) RA3, (v) RA4, and (vi) RA5.

Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

(1) The Priority Regional Infrastructure Program (PRIP) and the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) have been incorporated into the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF). Around $1 billion in funding will be allocated, comprising $450 million from the PRIP and up to $573 million from the RIF, subject to the passage of the Mineral Resource Rent Tax. $350 million from the PRIP has been reprioritised to support reconstruction in disaster areas.

(2) Up to $100 million in Commonwealth funds will be allocated under Round One, which closes on 13 May 2011, with further rounds to be announced.

(3) The RDAF is a competitive grants program and projects will be considered in the context of the eligibility and selection criteria as specified in the guidelines.