D18/1999
24 December 1999
The Regional Australia Summit Steering Committee today released its planned implementation program including a vision for a rejuvinated regional Australia.
Chairman of the Steering Committee, Professor John Chudleigh, presented the implementation plan to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, John Anderson.
Professor Chudleigh described the plan as a vehicle to provide a valuable combination of long and short-term considerations.
"The approach we have outlined aims to help the Government shift the balance in favour of regional Australia and build national cohesion," he said.
"We will be proposing changes which deliver key goals of economic and business development, equity of service access, and community empowerment.
"The longer-term vision sees regional and rural Australia fully recognised as a key part of the Australian economic, social and cultural fabric - and its people having the same access to the services that the rest of Australia has.
"This vision will be commended to Government and other stakeholders as an aspirational national goal which they could embrace.
"We want to build a regional, rural and remote Australia which can compete in a globalised economy, recognising the many unique characteristics and strengths of regional Australia."
According to Professor Chudleigh, the Committee's immediate focus is to formalise solutions which can be put to Government in early 2000.
"We have been assessing and prioritising recommendations from the Summit. Commonwealth agencies across government, are currently examining possible solutions. In January, the Committee will consider these proposals and examine how best to involve stakeholders. We will then recommend to the Government how the ideas developed at the Summit can be taken forward," he said.
The Steering Committee will report on the progress of government, community and business sectors in implementing responses on an on-going basis.
A copy of the implementation plan and recommendations are available on the website at: www.dotars.gov.au/regional/forum/summit/.
Media Contact:
Prof. John Chudleigh: (02) 6360 5500
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