List of Recommendations

Recommendation 1

1.36

The Committee recommends that the House of Representatives establish a Standing Committee on Regional Australia.

Recommendation 2

2.90

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government implement mechanisms to allow regional community groups to more easily receive tax deductible gift recipient status so that private philanthropic funds can be donated to, and stay in, regional communities.

Recommendation 3

3.90

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government provide increased funding for regional universities and greater support for their students.

Recommendation 4

3.91

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government investigate means of improving access to medical and allied health services for regional Australians including greater investment in regional universities and other health training organisations to ensure interested young people stay in the regions; providing incentives for trainee practitioners to study, practice, and stay in our regional communities; funding for regional clinical placements for students and mid-career professional development; greater investment in the specialist capacities of regional hospitals and medical research facilities in the regions; and increasing the number of Medicare funded visits for regional patients.

Recommendation 5

3.94

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government encourage its State and Territory counterparts to prioritise the release of government land for housing developments; look at ways to increase new and maintain existing public housing stock; and streamline the process to allow development of Aboriginal Land Council parcels of land.

Recommendation 6

4.77

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government develop a nationwide Regional Development Plan which considers the current and future infrastructure needs of regional Australia. The Regional Development Plan should focus on telecommunications and internet connectivity, road, rail, ports and airports along with soft infrastructure.

Recommendation 7

4.78

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government develop mechanisms to encourage private public partnerships to fund regional infrastructure.

Recommendation 8

5.123

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government investigate means of reducing the red tape burden upon regional business.

Recommendation 9

5.124

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government develop a program funding stream which is more tolerant of risk and encourages innovation funding be provided for smaller regional businesses.

Recommendation 10

5.125

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government implement a program for promoting the advantages of locating businesses in regional areas, doing business in regional areas and look at ways to incentivise business into regional areas.

Recommendation 11

6.131

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government establish a dedicated authority with responsibility for:

development and implementation of policies and programs, including a national population policy incorporating the Commonwealth’s vision for regional Australia; and

setting objectives and targets for regional population growth and the development of regional Australia.

Recommendation 12

6.132

The Committee recommends that the appropriate Minister make an annual statement to the House of Representatives detailing progress towards meeting the Commonwealth’s objectives and targets for regional population growth and the development of regional Australia.

Recommendation 13

6.135

The Committee recommends that work continue by the Australian Government to facilitate both public and private sector decentralisation.

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