Mr Latham asked the Minister for Sport, Territories and Local Government, upon notice, on 1 May 1996:

(1) What progress has been made in approving and funding the Liverpool City Council's "Electronic Village" proposal under the Local Government Development Program.

(2) Will funding of the Local Government Development Program be maintained.

Mr Warwick Smith —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) The joint proposal called the "Electronic Village" submitted by the Liverpool City Council and Dimension Graphics was considered by the Local Government Development Program NSW Panel and was not recommended for funding. Both organisations have been advised in writing of this outcome together with the reasons for this decision.

(2) Prior to the election the Coalition foreshadowed a significant reduction in the funding to be provided through the Local Government Development Program (LGDP). Given the current fiscal crisis facing the Government, this undertaking is now even more important. The Government is currently conducting a review of the LGDP, its future priorities and expenditure levels within a framework that maximises Local Government's contribution to the nation's overall economic and social performance.