TWENTY-four recommendations were released yesterday in an interim report from a New Regional Development Funding Program inquiry, which is being undertaken by a House of Representatives Standing Committee.
Member for New England Tony Windsor, who is a member of the inquiry panel, said the committee was asked to report on the highly critical Australian National Audit Office’s performance audit of the Regional Partnerships Program.
It was also asked to make recommendations on ways to invest funding in genuine regional economic development and community infrastructure, with the aim of enhancing the sustainability and livability of Australia’s regions.
“The committee has looked very closely at the workings of the previous govern-
ment’s Regional Partnerships
Program, with a view to making it more transparent and accountable to the community and the Financial Management and Accountability (FMA) Regulations Act 1997,” the independent MP said.
In particular, the committee has endorsed one Australian National Audit Office’s recommendation that Ministers be obliged under FMA Regulations to record the basis on which the approver is satisfied that expenditure represents efficient and effective use of public money and is in accordance with the relevant policies of the Commonwealth, Mr Windsor said.
He said there would be a greater emphasis in terms of prioritising community needs through local government representation rather than the previous ad hoc system of politically targeted funding or support of political mates.
The committee will make its final report before the end of the year, Mr Windsor said.
The full interim report is available at www.aph.gov.au/
house/committee /itrdlg/regionaldevelopment/repor t.htm