Additional Regional Spending
Additional Regional Spending
Additional Regional Spending
Regional Australia will receive better services, infrastructure and experience better
economic development opportunities through the new Government’s up to an additional
$10 billion investment.
The new Government will also deliver the world’s best broadband service to all of regional
Australia through the National Broadband Network.
The Government will open a new round of the Health and Hospitals Fund, of which there is
$1.8 billion remaining. For the first time, this round will be exclusively for Regional Australia.
The Government will also open up a new round of the Education Investment Fund, of up to
$500 million. For the first time, this round will also be quarantined to investments in
regional Australia.
For the first time, the Government will provide a one-third guarantee in new investments in
regional Australia – to improve education and health services around the country.
At least $41 million of the $123 million provided for in the 2010-11 Budget to
upgrade general practices, primary care and community health services, and
Aboriginal Medical Services.
At least $66 million entitlement of the $200m of the Critical Skills Investment Fund
will go to regional businesses and workers.
At least $125 million of the $388 million reward payments will be awarded to the
most improved schools in regional Australia.
At least $15 million of the $47 million facilitation payments allocated as part of the
initial national roll out of greater local school autonomy.
In addition, the new Government will provide an extra $1.4 billion in investment in
infrastructure and economic development of regional Australia. This includes:
A $573 million investment from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support local
projects as identified by Regional Development Australia committees in regional
areas that unlock new growth opportunities in regional Australia.
All of this comes on top of significant investments in regional Australia that the government
already committed to during the 2010 election campaign. This includes:
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A $6 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund. This includes $900 million towards projects
already identified in regional Australia, with $4.5 billion remaining for further
investments in economic infrastructure in regional Australia (in addition to
investments identified by RDA committees, referenced above).
A $200 million Building Better Regional Cities to help build affordable homes in
regional cities over three years and relieve pressure on our major capital cities, so
that Australia can grow sustainably.
For the first time, broadband prices will be the same for households and businesses
regardless of where they are located – in the city, in regional Australia or in more remote
parts of the country.
This will be achieved by a new cross subsidy to ensure a uniform national wholesale price so
that regional areas can pay the same price as people in the city.
o NBN Co will bring forward the introduction of wireless services and satellite
services so that regional Australia can get access to better broadband straight
away.
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ADDITIONAL REGIONAL SPENDING ($m) Years
NEW COMMITMENTS
Election commitments
Regional Infrastructure Fund (General) 5427 10 years
Telehealth 392 Forward estimates
Building Better Regional Cities 200 Forward estimates