Introduction
The Australian Government is helping to secure regional Australia's long term prosperity by working in partnership with regional Australians to build stronger communities, and by investing in things which are important to our regions.
The Australian Government has invested record amounts in our local roads, rail networks, schools, hospitals, measures to address skill shortages and to sustain natural resources. Our strong economic and financial management has enabled us to invest in these important areas.
Since 1996, the Australian Government has eliminated more than $96 billion of Hawke/Keating Labor Government debt, created more than two million jobs, cut the unemployment rate to the lowest level in 30 years, kept interest rates low and increased real wages. Above all, Australians' living standards have improved, which enables families to plan their futures with confidence.
While these strong economic conditions have opened up greater opportunities for regional Australia, more needs to be done.
The Australian Government recognises that the benefits of Australia's economic prosperity are not always spread uniformly across the country. The uneven distribution of our natural resources, skill shortages and demographic changes are just a few of the factors impacting upon some of our regions.
Above all, one of the most severe droughts in Australia's history is causing significant adversity and hardship in many communities.
The Australian Government takes these, and other factors, into account when devising policies for regional Australia. Guiding these policies is the need to ensure that the one third of Australians living outside major cities get a fair go and don't miss out on the benefits stemming from our economic prosperity.
Regional Australia is a significant contributor to Australia's export income. Our nation's future success relies heavily on the ability of our regions to continue to deliver goods and services to the domestic and international marketplaces.
The 2007-08 Ministerial Regional Budget Statement contains a range of programmes and initiatives that will build stronger regional communities, and help secure Australia's future economic growth and prosperity. These include:
- $22.3 billion to improve the country's major road and rail links as part of the AusLink National Transport Plan;
- the $10 billion National Plan for Water Security to improve the efficiency of water management and boost the security of water allocations;
- $1.9 billion for the National Action Plan on Mental Health to promote better mental health and provide additional support to people with mental illness, their families and their carers; and
- the Investing in Our Schools Programme — almost $1.2 billion to improve infrastructure in our nation's schools.
This Ministerial Regional Budget Statement also reflects the Coalition Government's philosophy that the best way to support regional Australia is to work in partnership with local people who know their communities. Working in partnership helps foster the development of self reliance, and empowers people to take control of their own lives.
For example, the Australian Government's Regional Partnerships and Sustainable Regions programmes are funding on-the-ground projects that are making a significant difference to the lives of millions of Australians.
Furthermore, targeted infrastructure programmes like Roads to Recovery are a good example of what can be achieved when the Australian Government works with local government to improve the country's extensive local road network.
The projects we are funding under these programmes, and the many other new and ongoing programmes detailed in this Statement, are proof of the benefits that can occur when government and regional communities work in partnership to build a stronger regional Australia.