Interim Report

Interim Report: Regional Inequality in Australia

28 June 2019

© Commonwealth of Australia 2019

View the report as a single document - (PDF 16KB)


On 14 February 2018, the Senate referred the following matter to the Senate Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by the last day of sitting in June 2019.

The indicators of, and impact of, regional inequality in Australia, with particular reference to government policies and programs in the following areas:

  1. fiscal policies at federal, state and local government levels;
  2. improved co-ordination of federal, state and local government policies;
  3. regional development policies;
  4. infrastructure;
  5. education;
  6. building human capital;
  7. enhancing local workforce skills;
  8. employment arrangements;
  9. decentralisation policies;
  10. innovation;
  11. manufacturing; and
  12. any other related matters

Conduct of inquiry

In accordance with usual practice, the committee advertised the inquiry on its website and wrote to relevant stakeholders and interested parties inviting submissions.

The committee received 129 submissions, and held three public hearings in Queensland on 29 August 2018 in Emerald; 5 November 2018 in Darwin; and 7 November 2018 in Townsville.

Conclusion

On 11 April July 2019, the Governor-General prorogued the 45th Parliament and dissolved the House of Representatives. After due consideration, the committee has determined that it will table this interim report as it is unable to provide a comprehensive report at this point in time. The committee will reconsider the issues of this inquiry in the event that it is re-referred to the committee in the new parliament.

Senator Chris Ketter
Chair
Senate Economics References Committee

Committee Secretariat contact:

Senate Standing Committees on Economics
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3540
economics.sen@aph.gov.au

Past Public Hearings

12 Dec 2019:
07 Nov 2018: Townsville
05 Nov 2018: Darwin

more...

Inquiry Status

Inquiry lapsed

Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring that everyone who wishes to can participate in the Committee’s inquiry. If you have accessibility requirements, please contact the Committee Secretariat.

Further information regarding accessibility can be found at www.aph.gov.au/Help/Accessibility