Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

I apologise; the press hounded me out of the room. I thank the senator for his question. The Gillard government has a strong record of delivering support to our regions. Our Regional Development Australia Fund of almost $1 billion supports Australia's regions and enhances the economic development and liveability of their communities. This government is building on the $4.3 billion investment announced in the 2011-12 budget by continuing to invest in regional health initiatives, education, liveability, skills and infrastructure in the 2012-13 budget. The government has established a $6 billion regional infrastructure fund to address critical infrastructure needs in areas supporting the mining industry, including $573 million allocated to RDAF.

We have committed to establishing a new RDA committee for Greater Western Sydney, home to two million people. Where Melbourne had four RDA committees, Sydney had one. Establishing a Greater Western Sydney RDA means that this region, which has a bigger population that South Australia, can more effectively identify projects that stack up and leverage partnership investments. The new Greater Western Sydney RDA will help unlock economic growth and improve liveability in the region. It will also strengthen the region's chance of securing investment through the RDAF. It is appropriate that all projects seeking funding are considered in the context of this new agreement. (Time expired)