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Strengthening Regional Development in the Murray
Regional Development Australia (RDA) NSW is set to benefit from new appointments
to each of its committees.
The appointments of nine new members to RDA Murray were announced today by Regional
Australia Minister, Simon Crean and NSW Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner.
Read more
New commissioner to give border communities a fair go
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services Andrew Stoner has today announced
the appointment of Steve Toms as the State’s first Cross Border Commissioner.
Mr TomMr Toms has wide experience dealing with issues affecting rural and regional communities as a Land Manager
working for NSW Parks and Wildlife Service and Forests NSW, and as a Councillor and Mayor for the Glen
Innes Severn Council.
Read more
Local Government Awards countdown begins
Local governments across the country are working hard for their communities and promoting their achievements,
with over 370 entries received for the 2012 National Awards for Local Government.
Local Government Minister Simon Crean announced today that the annual awards had attracted more than double
the entries received last year.
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Funding calls for smart energy use
The Gillard Government today opened a package of energy efficiency programs designed to drive smarter
energy use in business, local government, households and communities for a clean energy future.
The programs will enable all Australians regardless of where they live or how much they earn to harness
the opportunities of a low carbon future. They will be delivered in partnership with business, councils
and community groups.
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National Awards for Local Government Excellence
Local councils across Australia have the opportunity to be recognised and rewarded for their innovative and creative
work in supporting local communities, with entries for the 2012 National Awards for Local Government now open, Local
Government Minister Simon Crean announced today.
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Thousands More Australians Talking About Organ and Tissue Donation
Following the most successful DonateLife Week to date, thousands more Australians around the country have
been encouraged to discuss their organ and tissue donation intentions with their loved ones.
The theme of DonateLife Week 2012 was ‘Ask and know your loved ones’ wishes’. “It’s such an important
message because family members will ultimately be asked to make the final decision on organ donation.
The fact is too many families just don’t know” said Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing
Catherine King.
Read more
Interview with ABC Country Hour
The first the proposed Murray-Darling Basin plan is out and now the selling begins. Regional Australia Minister, Simon
Crean, is touring the country talking to leaders about how their communities can change and adapt to less water. He was
in Deniliquin yesterday. He says the ideas must come from the regions but the Government will help.
Read more
Economic diversification takes centre stage in Bendigo
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean was in Bendigo today for discussions around the draft Murray-Darling Basin plan.
Visiting the site of a new theatre complex at the former Bendigo gaol, Mr Crean said local involvement and leadership
would help drive new opportunities for economic diversification across the Basin.
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Transcript of interview with Chris Coleman on ABC Riverina Mornings program
It's funny, you know, we get to November and things are meant to quiet down on the federal political scene. But no,
the Riverina's actually playing host to a couple of federal politicians today. In fact, several federal politicians today.
Read more
Transcript of doorstop at RDA meeting in Deniliquin
This is a region that clearly has suffered a great deal in recent times coming off the back of the drought, the shut
down of the river red gum industry, and now the issues with regard to water. Is the purpose of your to look at a silver
lining to some of the issues that they're confronted with?
Read more
Strengthening support for Indigenous culture
The Australian Government has strengthened support for Indigenous culture by streamlining the funding process and launching a
new Indigenous Repatriation Policy, Arts Minister Simon Crean announced today.
Speaking in Perth, Mr Crean said the competitive funding round of $28.3 million for Indigenous culture, languages and visual
arts will open this week.
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Premiere of the Conargo ACRE documentary – ‘Market to Market’
South West Arts inSouth West Arts in conjunction with the ACRE Committee, Conargo Shire and the Conargo Village worked together on
‘ACRE – Film maker’s in Residence’, a short documentary project which aims to highlight the resilience of the local
community and to showcase to broader communities, and hopefully the world, that even though these communities have
been doing it tough their community spirit is stronger than ever.
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Premiere of the Moulamein ACRE documentary – ‘Hit me on the Head with a Raindrop’
The ACRE Committee, WakoSouth West Arts in conjunction with the ACRE Committee, Wakool Shire and Moulamein worked together
on ‘ACRE – Film maker’s
in Residence’, a short documentary project which aims to highlight the resilience of the local community and to showcase
to broader communities, and hopefully the world, that even though these communities have been doing it tough their community
spirit is stronger than ever.
Read more
Education Investment Fund
MP, announced the opening of the Regional Priorities Round of the EIF. For the full announcement please see the Prime Minister’s
Media Release below.
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$150 million in round one Regional Development Australia Funding
Community buildings, cultural and tourist projects, training centres and regional airport upgrades
are just some of the shovel-ready projects supported in Round One of the $1 billion Regional Development
Australia Fund (RDAF).
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean said the Federal Government would invest $150 million in 35
projects worth almost $418 million in the first stage of the five-year regional funding program.
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Investment funds to grow Australia’s social enterprises
Social enterprises are set to grow with today’s announcement of an innovative collaboration between
the Australian Government and leading social impact investors, which will help the nation’s social
enterprises to be more investment ready and financially sustainable.
Minister for EmploMinister for Employment Participation, Kate Ellis, and the Minister for Indigenous
Employment and Economic Development, Senator Mark Arbib, today announced the successful funds managers
for the Social Enterprise Development and Investment Fund (SEDIF).
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Panel appointed on constitutional recognition of local government
The Gillard Government today appointed the members of the independent expert panel that will progress
the recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution.
Led by former Chief Justice of the NSW Supreme Court, the Honourable James Spigelman AC QC, the panel
members comprise representatives from a range of backgrounds and areas of expertise.
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Regional Australia Advisory Council meets in Melbourne
The inaugural meeting of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Regional Australia, held today in Melbourne,
was a highly productive one according to its Chair, Bill Kelty AC.
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean said the Council would provide independent advice on emerging
regional priorities and how best to grow regional economies.
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Appointment of Australia's first Age Discrimination Commissioner
The Gillard Government today announced the appointment of the Hon Susan Ryan AO as Australia’s first
ever Age Discrimination Commissioner.
“In her new position of Age Discrimination Commissioner, Ms Ryan will be a dedicated advocate not only
older Australians, but also young people who might be affected by age discrimination,” Attorney-General
Robert McClelland said.
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Helping employers attract and retain mature workers
Minister for Employment Participation, Kate Ellis, in collaboration with the Australian Industry
Group and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has written to over 7500 employers to
urge them to better recruit and retain mature age workers.
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Board Appointments Announced
The NSW Government has delivered on its promise to devolve responsibility and accountability within
the health system by today announcing a raft of new local health district board members.
The 32 new members, selected from a pool of more than 500 highly-experienced applicants, will
significantly strengthen the state’s 15 local health district boards – with most specifically chosen
for their substantial skills in governance, finance and health administration.
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$47 million for Indigenous arts, culture, languages and jobs
Arts Minister Simon Crean today announced funding of $47.1 million to support
Indigenous arts, culture and languages projects across Australia in 2011-12.
Mr Crean said the funding included $26.4 million to support 294 Indigenous arts,
culture and languages projects and $20.7 million for jobs.
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Advisory council reinforces Labor's strong regional commitment
Regional communities will have even stronger backing at the highest level of
government with the appointment of a Ministerial Advisory Council on Regional
Australia.
Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean said the new Council was a key part
of the Gillard Government's strong commitment to regional communities across the
country.
Read more
Financial support for flood affected Victorian businesses
Flood-stricken Victorian businesses are now eligible for low-cost loans to help rebuild
after the devastating natural disaster that hit the state between January and March this year.
Federal Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean today announced the loans would be available
to businesses, primary producers and not-for-profit organisations that suffered extreme damage
during the recent floods.
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NSW Government Tackling Cross Border Issues
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is currently working up a proposal to appoint a
Cross Border Commissioner who will report annually to Parliament on the Government’s
progress dealing with cross border issues, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional
Infrastructure and Services Andrew Stoner announced today.
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Snapshot of our regions - national photo competition opens
Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean today encouraged local photographers to focus
their lens on regional Australia and enter the Federal Government's inaugural MyRegion
National Photographic Competition.
Mr Crean said Australians of all ages were invited to submit images taken over the past
year to showcase the people, places, wildlife, landscapes and nature they believed made
their unique patch of the nation special.
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Transcript of doorstop at Victorian Advisory Committee meeting in Geelong
First point I'd make is that the $1 billion dollar fund is only one dimension
of what regions can bid for when it comes to regional development initiatives. And
in the Budget, for example, this region - not just Geelong - had a commitment of $26
million for the medical facilities that serviced the broader region.
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Transcript of Interview with Minister Crean in the Lockyer Valley
I'm speaking to the regional development forum that's been organised by the Regional
Development Australia network up here but looking at the combination of economy in transition,
how to take advantage of the Budget, but also how to link that with the massive rebuild that's
obviously got to be undertaken up here in the Lockyer Valley.
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Keynote Speech at Gatton, Queensland to the Regional Leaders Forum
Hosted by RDA Ipswich and West Moreton: "Leadership and Regional Priorities"
I'd like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we stand - the
Juggera and Juggerapule People - and pay my respect to their Elders, past and present. Can I
also thank Aunty Therese Webster for her Welcome to Country.
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Investing in Regional Australia
Minister for Regional Australia, Regional
Development and Local Government Simon Crean said the 2011-12 Federal Budget was
further proof that the Gillard Government was working across all levels of
government to support regional Australia.
"This Budget builds on the record
investment in the transport, water, energy, health, education and communication
infrastructure of our regions by committing $4.3 billion, commencing 1 July
2011," Mr Crean said.
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More than $4 million invested in the MyRegion website
This year's Budget has
allocated $4.2 million to fund the MyRegion website over four years as part of
the Federal Government's commitment to greater transparency and accountability.
The website - due to go live in July 2011 - will be released in stages and will
provide users with information about government services and expenditure, as
well as opportunities to provide feedback to government on regional issues.
Read more
$65 Million Regional Cancer Centre Project for Albury
Albury Wodonga patients will benefit further from national health reform with
today's announcement that the Gillard Government will fund a $65 million
integrated regional cancer centre project through the 2011-12 Budget.
The new centre will consolidate and expand existing cancer services in the
region and build on the cancer treatment facilities at the Albury Campus of
Albury Wodonga Health (previously Albury Base Hospital).
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Murray-Darling Basin Authority - A communication alert
MDBA Chair meets the people of the Basin. Over the past few weeks our Chair,
Craig Knowles, has been visiting various locations across the Basin, meeting and
talking with people to see and hear firsthand the issues that are important to
Basin communities.
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Chair's speech - Sustaining Rural Communities
At the outset I would like to acknowledge the Gomilaroi community and pay my
respects to them the traditional owners of the land.
Can I also thank Mal Peters, an old partner in crime, for the personal
invitation to talk with you this morning.
Indeed, to all the distinguished guests and particularly the Mayor of Narrabri,
thank you for the invitation.
In the context of a conference that is all about sustaining rural communities I
think it is important, right at the front end of my remarks that I acknowledge
my work is all about re-engaging people who have been left out of the process to
date and to ask for your help in making the work I do better and more relevant
to the people who live and work in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Read more
New initiatives to keep mature age Australians in jobs
The Australian Government recognises the value of the skills and experience of
our country’s mature age workforce and is committed to finding new ways to
support mature age workers to remain in the workforce and continue to contribute
to our economy.
More mature age Australians will be able to access training and support to help
them remain in employment for longer and share their experience, thanks to new
initiatives announced today.
Minister for Employment Participation and Child Care, Kate Ellis said that
mature age workers regularly report feeling that their experience is undervalued
and that employers don’t have the necessary supports in place for them to take
the next steps in their careers.
Read more
Productive meeting with Murray-Darling regional communities
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean and the new chairman of the
Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Craig Knowles, have met with 11 Regional
Development Australia (RDA) committees from the Murray-Darling Basin.
The meeting with Murray-Darling Basin RDA committees was held at Parliament
House Canberra this week and was an opportunity to follow-up on previous
meetings held in the regions in 2010.
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New approach to water recovery in the Murray-Darling Basin
The Gillard Government today announced a new approach to water recovery in the
Murray-Darling Basin that will further assist communities to plan for the future
with confidence.
Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean and Water Minister Tony Burke
outlined the Government's initial response to issues raised in consultations and
meetings with stakeholders in the Murray-Darling Basin last year and
subsequently by the Windsor inquiry into the proposed Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
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Driving economic development in regional Australia
Keynote address to the Setting the Agenda for Regional Futures summit at the
University of New England, Armidale
Thanks very much, Tony. I too acknowledge
the traditional owners of the land on which we meet. I acknowledge their elders,
past and present and thank Colin for his welcome to country.
Thank you, Tony,
for that very generous introduction and Richard, who I've had the opportunity to
deal with in terms of Evocities in particular - and I'll say a little bit about
that later.
Read more
Transcript of interview with Kelly Fuller of ABC New England North West
Main Topics: Evocities funding announcement at the Regional Australia Summit
KELLY FULLER: Well this week we've been chatting with some of the brains trust
who are throwing around ideas on setting the agenda for regional future. We've
spoken about the potential for the NBN and about how regional areas need to work
on becoming more sustainable.
This morning we're chatting to the minister
responsible for making it all happen. Simon Crean is the Minister for Regional
Development and will be the key note speaker at the University of New England
this morning.
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Doorstop at the University of New England regional summit, Armidale
Main Topics: Regional development, NBN, investment in regional Australia,
productivity gains
QUESTION: Obviously we've been listening to your speech in
there, but can you tell us what the key priorities or the key areas for
development in regional Australia are?
SIMON CREAN: To ensure that regions
maximise their potential, to indicate that we want to develop a real partnership
in which we encourage the locals to identify their agenda, their priorities,
their vision; proposals that stack up, not wish lists, and a preparedness to use
the new resources of the Commonwealth Government in regional development to
leverage other funding as well as their own to help realise this potential.
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Boosting regional cities to build a sustainable Australia
Speech given to the Committee for Economic Development (CEDA) event 'Further
Shaping Australian Cities' held in Melbourne.
Thank you David for the
introduction. It is my pleasure to be amongst you. It is good to be with old and
new acquaintances.
Mr Yehudi Blacher, Secretary Planning and Community
Development Victoria, Professor Sandra Harding, Chancellor James Cook University
and Tony Brun, CEO Geraldton City Council - Tony, it is great to see you again
after my visit to your home town late last year.
Read more
Regional Australia Commitee announces interim finding
Today, Chair of the Regional Australia Commitee, Mr Tony Windsor MP has
announced that he has written on behalf of the Commitee to the Minister of
Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Tony Burke and
Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government,
Simon Crean to raise concerns about a number of urgent issues that have arisen
in Murray Darling Inquiry to date.
Read more [PDF]
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