Here are "Future directions for rural industries and rural communities" items accepted by the Australian Government in its "Responding to the Australia 2020 Summit" on 22 April 2009:
Rural industries and rural communities play a vital role in Australia's economy and the fabric of Australian life and culture. However the sustainability of rural communities and industry over the coming decades will require investment in skills and infrastructure, an innovative culture, increased competitiveness in global markets, the creation of new export markets and the development of vibrant and connected remote, rural and regional communities. A targeted approach is also needed to sustain the long term viability of our rural industries in the face of climate change.
At the 2020 Summit, the Rural Stream considered a range of issues faced by rural communities and industries, many of which have synergies with ideas raised in other streams. Central themes included sustainability and the challenges that rural industries will face around climate change, education, creating a clear vision for the future of rural Australia, connecting individuals and communities, infrastructure and regional development, and the nationwide harmonisation of regulation and enforcement.
The Rural Stream developed a broad range of ambitions, themes and ideas that have influenced and guided the Government's policy in this area, including:
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Infrastructure Australia - Infrastructure Australia will conduct regular audits to determine the adequacy, capacity and condition of nationally significant infrastructure, taking into account forecast growth and the adequacy of the infrastructure to meet that growth.. Infrastructure Australia released an interim report on the National Infrastructure Audit and the Infrastructure Priority List at the end of 2008.
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National Broadband Network -The Government has announced it will establish a new company that will invest up to $43 billion over eight years to build and operate a National Broadband Network delivering superfast broadband to Australian homes and workplaces. The Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) program complements the rollout of the NBN in rural areas by providing safety net broadband services to all Australian households that are unable to access metro-comparable broadband services. An additional $270.7 million over four years was allocated in the 2008-09 Budget to continue the ABG program.
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Regional Development - Funding of $800 million is being provided to local councils and shires under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program to build local and community infrastructure. This will be delivered in two parts: $550 million for Strategic Projects and $250 million allocated direct to councils and shires. This program builds on a range of other community building infrastructure programs where the Government is making infrastructure investments using local knowledge and advice.
The following tables provide the Government's response to the ideas raised by the Rural Stream at the 2020 Summit.
Key ideas being taken forward by the Government
Topic | 2020 proposed ideas | Government response |
Infrastructure - National Institution Also raised by: Economy |
| Agree in-part. Infrastructure Australia was established by the Government in April 2008. It will conduct regular audits to determine the adequacy, capacity and condition of nationally significant infrastructure, taking into account forecast growth and the adequacy of the infrastructure to meet that growth. It will also develop a national infrastructure priority list for COAG to consider. Infrastructure Australia released an interim report on both the National Infrastructure Audit and the Infrastructure Priority List at the end of 2008. |
Infrastructure - National Broadband Network Also raised by: Productivity Economy Creative |
| Agree. The Government has announced it will establish a new company that will invest up to $43 billion over eight years to build and operate a National Broadband Network (NBN) delivering superfast broadband to Australian homes and workplaces. Every person and business in Australia, no matter where they are located, will have access to affordable, fast broadband at their fingertips. The Schools Summits also recognized the importance of connecting regional areas to the internet, and the Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) program complements the rollout of the National Broadband Network in rural areas by providing safety net broadband services to all Australian households that are unable to access metro-comparable broadband services. An additional $270.7 million over four years was allocated in the 2008-09 Budget to continue the ABG program. In addition the Government is preparing a 'Digital Economy - Future Directions' Paper in consultation with industry. The paper will provide a roadmap of how the Government and industry can collaborate to maximise the participation of Australians in the digital economy. Further, the Government's Vocational Education Broadband Network will create a single post-secondary high speed broadband network, connecting the Australian training system to a similar network to that currently serving universities. This will increase flexibility in the place and pace of learning, and offer speedy access to resources no matter where they are located. |
| Agree in-part. The Government has established a company that will invest up to $43 billion to build and operate a new super fast national broadband network. The network will be a wholesale-only, open access network that offers equivalent access terms and conditions for all access seekers. The Government will encourage private sector investment in the new network but measures will be put in place to ensure that the equivalence arrangements are not compromised. The Government has also announced that in the transition period to the full rollout of the new network, it will give consideration to stronger measures to ensure access seekers receive equivalent access terms on Telstra's existing fixed-line network. | |
| The Government has announced that it will establish a company that will invest up to $43 billion to build and operate a new super fast national broadband network. The Government's objective is that the national broadband network achieve 90 per cent coverage to homes, schools and workplaces using optical fibre (fibre-to-the-premises or 'FTTP') and remaining coverage to be delivered through wireless and satellite technologies, within this funding envelope | |
Early Childhood Development Assessment (Healthy Kids Check) Also raised by: Productivity |
| Agree in-principle. The Government introduced the Healthy Kids Check ($25.6 million over four years) on 1 July 2008 to ensure that every four year old has a basic health check to ensure they are healthy, fit and ready to learn when they start school. The Healthy Kids Check recognises many of the ideas raised at the Summit, and will promote early detection of lifestyle risk factors and delayed development, and provide guidance for healthy lifestyles and early intervention strategies. |
Low Socio-economic School Communities Also raised by: Productivity Communities |
| Agree in-principle. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has agreed to a number of National Partnerships in relation to low socio-economic status school communities. The Australian Government will provide $1.5 billion to address the needs of disadvantaged schools. The Government will work with the states and territories on a range of reforms that will support the educational and wellbeing needs of students and schools in low socio-economic status communities. COAG has also agreed to a National Partnership on literacy and numeracy that will aim to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes for all students, especially those who are falling behind. Research and data collection will be supported by funding of $40 million. This includes an additional $13 million for the collection and reporting of data through the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority for which funding of $17.2 million was announced in the last Budget. The Dare to Lead Project, funded by the Government, drives change in schools through a coalition of school leaders who influence improvements in Indigenous education. The project's Partnerships Building Success direction for 2009-2012 has been supported by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and through the inclusion of colloquial reviews in sister school arrangements expect to increase the achievements in Indigenous student outcomes. |
Education - Trade Training in Schools program |
| Through the Trade Training Centres in Schools program, the Government will allocate from Phase One 32 per cent of a total $90.3 million of funding to benefit schools in rural or regional areas. This Program provides for facilities to enhance vocational education opportunities for students in Years 9 to 12 through the upgrading of trade workshops, computer laboratories and other vocational training centres. |
Education - Promoting Rural Education |
| Agree in-principle. The Government has provided $175,000 for the Primary Industries Education Foundation, a partnership between government, industry and the education sector that will develop, coordinate and promote farm education in schools. |
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Also raised by: Health |
| Agree in-principle. The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Program was launched by the Minister for Health and Ageing on 21 August 2008. The National Program will see up to 190 primary schools across Australia receive grants to build kitchens and gardens. Within four years, around 20,000 Australian primary school children in Years 3 to 6 will experience growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing fresh food each week, laying the foundations for a life time of healthy food choices. |
Education - Digital Education Revolution Also raised by: Productivity Economy Creativity |
| Agree in-principle. The Government is committing new funding of $2 billion over five years to support the Digital Education Revolution. This includes:
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Vocational Education Broadband Network |
| In addition to the wider Digital Education Revolution, the Government has also committed to a new Vocational Education Broadband Network which will create a single post-secondary high speed broadband network, connecting the Australian training system to a similar network to that currently serving universities. |
Higher Education - HECS/HELP Incentives for Skills Shortage |
| Agree in-principle. The Government is reducing HECS/HELP repayments by about half for early childhood graduates who work in regional and remote areas, Indigenous communities and areas of high disadvantage. |
Review of Australian Higher Education - Bradley Review Also raised by: Productivity |
| The Review of Australian Higher Education (Bradley Review) which was released in December 2008, examined the future direction of the higher education sector, its fitness for purpose in meeting the needs of the Australian community and economy, and the options for ongoing reform. The Government has provided an initial response to the report detailing a number of reforms in the following areas:
More detail will be announced at the time of the Budget in May 2009. |
Skills Development Also raised by: Communities |
| Agree in-principle. As part of its Skilling Australia for the Future initiative, the Government is funding an additional 711,000 training places over five years, including 85,000 apprenticeship places and 309,000 training places for jobseekers who need training to assist them in participating in the labour force. The most recent expansion, announced 24 February 2009, provides 10,000 additional places to assist newly retrenched workers to access training. The Government's Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan includes a $511 million Training and Learning Bonus. The Bonus has two components. First, it provides a one-off bonus of $950 to students and to certain other income support recipients to assist with education costs for the 2009 academic year. Second, it provides a temporary additional incentive for eligible social security recipients to return to education and training. This incentive is in the form of a $950 temporary supplement to the Education Entry Payment, which provides financial assistance to commence approved training and education courses. In addition from 1 July 2009, an additional 3,650 pre-vocational training and support places will be provided to young people aged 19-24 years through the Australian Apprenticeships Access Program. The $30.2 million expansion of the program will support at-risk jobseekers to pursue apprenticeships or training. |
Workforce Participation - Workforce Development Also raised by: Productivity |
| Agree in-principle. Skills Australia will provide the Government with recommendations on current and future skills needs to inform the Government's decisions in relation to skills development. The Government recognises that equipping workers and businesses with green skills will be essential if Australia is to take the opportunities presented by a transition to a low carbon economy. The Skills for the Carbon Challenge program incorporates an audit identifying industry's green skill needs. In February 2009 the Government committed $298.5 million investment in employment services to ensure that any Australian worker made redundant will receive assistance to help them get back into the workforce. |
Mentoring in the workplace - Golden Gurus Also raised by: Productivity | Create a scheme in which opportunities are provided for retired people to act as mentors in the workplace, incorporating remote, rural and regional Australia. The ideas raised regarding mentoring in remote, rural and regional Australia included the following:
| Agree in-principle. To help meet the challenges of our ageing population and pass on valuable experience from retirees to new generations, the Government is committed to developing a national Golden Gurus mentoring scheme. As discussed at the Summit the scheme will provide opportunities for retired mentors to support a range of small business and community needs. The scheme will be developed during 2009. The full list of related ideas can be found in the Productivity Stream. |
Pacific Development - Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme Also raised by: Security Productivity |
| Agree. The Government announced the Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme on 17 August 2008. This three year scheme will examine the viability of a seasonal worker program, with a focus on the horticulture industry. The Government is conducting the pilot to examine whether a seasonal worker program could contribute to regional economic development objectives and also assist Australian employers. |
Health Workforce - Inter-Governmental Agreement on National Registration and Accreditation Also raised by: Health |
| Agree. In March 2008, COAG agreed to create a single national registration and accreditation system to create a more flexible, responsive and sustainable health workforce. The system will be in place by July 2010, initially for ten health professions. |
Health Workforce - Promoting Migration/Rural Awareness |
| Agree. The Government already has a number of incentives in place aimed at recruiting and retaining health professionals in remote, rural and regional Australia. One example is the Government's expansion of the John Flynn Placement Program, providing 150 additional places for medical students each year. In addition, $2.5 million over three years is being provided for clinical placements for health students. The Government is also providing additional funding of $12 million over four years to the Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program and $7.9 million over four years to subsidise the cost of obstetricians working in rural and remote communities. The Government has established an Office of Rural Health within the Department of Health and Ageing to undertake a review of Commonwealth-funded rural health programs to ensure that workforce programs and incentives respond to current population figures and genuine need. The Council of Australian Governments' Health Workforce Package includes investment of $175.6 million over four years in capital infrastructure to expand teaching and training, especially at major regional hospitals, to improve clinical training in rural Australia as students who train in rural areas are more likely to practice in rural Australia. |
Community Engagement Also raised by: Economy Governance Communities |
| The Government agrees with the idea of enhancing community engagement. The Government's approach is to trial different and innovative mechanisms and draw on specific suggestions across several streams in that context. For example the Government is committed to developing practical initiatives in e-governance that increase the communities' ability to interact with the parliament and the policy development processes of government. The Government is also considering holding a set of forums that will bring together experts, business and community representatives and others to discuss high priority topics. The full list of related ideas can be found in the Governance Stream. |
Regulation - COAG Business Regulation and Competition Working Group Also raised by: Economy Governance |
| Agree in-principle. The 2020 Summit recognised the importance of regulatory reform and harmonisation of state and territory laws. Many of the ideas discussed at the Summit reflect the work program of the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) Business Regulation and Competition Working Group (BRCWG). In December 2007, COAG established the BRCWG to deliver more consistent regulation across jurisdictions, reduce restrictions on competition in priority areas of the economy, and improve processes for regulation making and review. The work program includes reducing inconsistent and unnecessary regulation in 27 separate areas and delivering competition reform in eight agreed priority areas. In November 2008, COAG agreed to the new National Partnership Agreement to Deliver a Seamless National Economy, under which the Commonwealth committed to provide funding to the states and territories of $550 million over five years. The payments are in two components; $100 million to facilitate the implementation of reforms, and $450 million in reward payments. The reforms, include nationally uniform OH&S laws, a national system for registering business names, and a national electronic conveyancing system. |
Infrastructure - National Priorities and Investment Also raised by: Economy |
| Agree in-principle. Infrastructure Australia released an interim report on both the National Infrastructure Audit and the Infrastructure Priority List at the end of 2008. The final Priority List will enable the Government, advised by Infrastructure Australia, to make timely decisions on projects that will advance Australia's nation building agenda. In November 2008 COAG endorsed a National Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) package. The package offers major reform gains in terms of consistency and harmonisation of PPP policy and practices across jurisdictions. It aims to encourage the consideration of PPPs, ensure consistent application of best practice across Australia and encourage private sector investment in public infrastructure in Australia. |
Infrastructure - Highways (Auslink) |
| Agree in-principle. The Government will invest more than $27 billion to improve the nation's road and rail networks from now until 2014. In addition, the Government has already allocated $12.6 billion to the Building Australia Fund to deliver further investments in nation-building infrastructure, including in regional Australia. The Government has committed to invest $140 million in 2008-09 and a further $60 million in 2009-10 to Black Spot funding.The Government has also provided $150.0 million over two years to improve road safety by funding the construction of boom gates at rail crossings. The Government has also committed to invest $2.45 billion between 2009 and 2014 to continue the duplication of the Pacific Highway. Priority projects include the Ballina Bypass, Bulahdelah Bypass and upgrade at Saxtons Hill, Banora Point. |
Regional Development - Tourism |
| Agree in-principle. The Government promotes tourism through Tourism Australia. There are also a range of existing state initiatives in this area. The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism also runs the Australian Tourism Development Program (ATDP), a competitive merit-based grant program that supports the development of the Australian tourism industry. In 2008-09, the ATDP will provide $4.5 million for 11 projects in regional and metropolitan Australia to develop quality tourism precincts, experiences, and strategies for growth. In addition, $1.8 million is available to continue business mentoring support for Indigenous operators under the Business Ready Program for Indigenous Tourism (BRPIT) and to support the promotion of Indigenous tourism experiences to the international marketplace. The Government is also developing a National Long-Term Tourism Strategy for release later in 2009. |
Regional Development - Regional Arts Promotion |
| Agree. The Government has made a commitment to working with Regional Arts Australia to examine ways to develop the arts in regional and remote areas, for example through the Regional Arts Fund. |
Regional Development - Local Infrastructure |
| This goal is being progressed through the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program, as well as existing local, state, territory and Commonwealth initiatives. The Government has committed $800 million to local councils and shires under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program to build local and community infrastructure. This will be delivered in two parts: $550 million for Strategic Projects and $250 million allocated directly to councils and shires. This program builds on a range of other community building infrastructure programs where the Government is making infrastructure investments using local knowledge and advice. The Government has also launched the Innovative Regions Centre (IRC) program, which will work with regions around Australia to increase the innovative capacity of local firms and regional economies. The Government has also committed $150 million in 2008-09 to repair regional roads across Australia. This program will fund State and Territory governments to repair roads in all regions, with funding to be focused on areas that have the largest backlog of eligible projects. |
Sustainability - Food Production |
| Agree in-principle. Sustainable production, particularly in a changing climate, is being promoted through a range of measures, including Australia's Farming Future and Caring for Our Country programs. |
Food Security - Policy Unit |
| Agree in-principle. The Government has established a team dedicated to working on food security issues within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. |
Water Management and Reform Also raised by: Sustainability |
| Through its $12.9 billion Water for the Future initiative, the Government is funding infrastructure projects to secure water supplies through recycling, desalination, urban stormwater harvesting and improving the efficient use of water. The initiative includes:
In rural areas, the Government is working with the states and territories to improve key irrigation infrastructure to minimise system losses and enhance the efficient use of water. In addition, the Government has funded the $82 million Groundwater Action Plan:
In July 2008, the Australian, new South Wales, Victorian, Queensland, South Australian and the Australian Capital Territory Government signed the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Murray-Darling Basin Reform. Under the IGA, governments committed to a new culture and practice of Basin-wide management and planning, and to a new approach to partnerships with the community. In November 2008, COAG agreed to a number of initiatives to improve the operation of water markets and trading through faster processing of temporary water trades, and to coordinate water information and research through the development of national water modelling strategy and a national water research strategy. On 4 December 2008, the Federal Parliament passed the Water Amendment Bill 2008, giving effect to crucial reforms on the management of the Murray-Darling Basin. The full list of related ideas can be found in the Sustainability Stream. |
Biodiversity - Caring for our Country Program Also raised by: Sustainability |
| Agree in-principle but without a commitment to the targets proposed. The Caring for our Country program commenced on 1 July 2008 and seeks to achieve an environment that is healthy, well-managed and resilient, and that provides essential ecosystem services in a changing environment. The program is being delivered in partnership with private landowners, regional natural resource management groups, local, state and territory governments, Indigenous groups, industry bodies, land managers, farmers and landcare groups. |
Preventative Health - Healthy Food and Living Also raised by: Health |
| The Government agrees that helping Australians to make healthier choices is an important goal. Not all of these ideas will be necessarily adopted in achieving that goal. In November 2008, COAG agreed to a Preventive Health National Partnership Agreement (to which the Australian Government contributes funding of $872.1 million over 6 years) to support a range of nutrition, physical activity, obesity and smoking initiatives,, including:
The Preventative Health Taskforce will also be providing evidence-based advice to governments and health providers on health programs and strategies. The Taskforce will develop a National Preventative Health Strategy by June 2009, which is likely to address some or all of the issues raised by the 2020 Summit. |
Reform of the Federation |
| Agree in-part. The Government is progressing this issue with states and territories through COAG. COAG has:
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Climate Change - Australia's Farming Future |
| Agree in-principle. Farm Ready, announced in July 2008 as part of the Australia's Farming Future initiative, provides farmers with specialised training to help them to deal with the impacts of climate change. The Climate Change Research Program will also fund on-farm demonstrations of adaptation techniques. |
Climate Change - Remote Renewable Energy |
| Agree. In 2007 the Government committed to ensuring that 20 per cent of Australia's electricity supply comes from renewable energy sources by 2020. The majority of this investment will be in regional areas. In addition, the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program provides financial support to increase the use of renewable generation in remote off-grid parts of Australia, including rebates of up to 50 per cent (up to $200,000) for replacing diesel systems with renewable energy sources. |
Climate Change - Research Program |
| The Climate Change Research Program is part of the Australia's Farming Future initiative and will fund projects for new climate change adaptation technologies and techniques. The Government has committed to a funding increase to $46.2 million over four years for the program, which includes funding for large scale collaborative projects involving a range of stakeholders, such as research providers, producers and state governments. |
Climate Change - National Climate Adaptation Strategy Also raised by: Sustainability |
| Agree in-principle. The Government recognises the importance of preparing Australia for the impacts of unavoidable climate change and will continue to improve the nation's capacity to adapt to climate change through the COAG Working Group on Climate Change and Water. The $130 million Australia's Farming Future initiative will assist primary producers to adapt and respond to climate change. Both COAG and the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council have identified biodiversity as a priority for climate change adaptation. The Government is taking action to address the impacts of climate change on biodiversity through activities such as the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. The Government has increased funding for Australia's National Reserve System, a nation-wide network of reserves established to protect Australia's environment. This network is part of the Government's Caring for our Country initiative which focuses on achieving a healthy, protected and well-managed environment. |
| Agree in-principle. Existing data published by the CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology and of the Australian Climate Change Science Program maps the impacts of climate change across Australia. In addition the Department of Climate Change website provides information on the impacts of climate change across Australia. Work continues on assessing the impacts of climate change across Australia, including through the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. |
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