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 21 March 2011:

In respect of the Regional Development Australia Fund—

(1) On what date did (a) his department first release the guidelines for the Fund, and (b) he issue a press release advising he was releasing the guidelines for the Fund.

(2) Was the press release in part (1) made before the guidelines were released; if so, why.

(3) How many editions of the guidelines exist, and which editions have been made public.

(4) On what date did he, or his personal staff, last approve (a) the guidelines, and (b) his introductory message in the guidelines.

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) (a) The Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) Guidelines were available on the Department’s website from 11 March 2011. The Department briefed the RDAs and a range of other stake holders on the guidelines prior to their formal release.

(b) A media release was issued on 11 March 2011.

(2) The press release of 11 March 2011 announced the release of the RDAF Guidelines. [A draft press release, not cleared by me, was inadvertently placed on the website on 3 March 2011 and removed shortly thereafter]

(3) One edition of the Guidelines exists, which is available on the Department’s website.

(4) The Government approved the RDAF Guidelines, which includes the introductory message, on 11 March 2011.