Mr HAASE (9:49 AM) —I rise today to bring to the attention of the House the fact that, for six years, I have been pursuing the issue of declining populations in regional areas of Australia—and it is time something was done to reduce that flow. In inland Australia, areas away from the coast, we have a steep decline in population numbers. This becomes a self-perpetuating downward spiral. A reduction in the population reduces the services available, reduces the competition and increases the prices. People therefore shop elsewhere, which reduces the services provided, which increases the prices—and so it goes on and on.

For six years and six budgets I have been waiting for my government to address the issue. It has not been done, and I make known today that, in the next parliament, I will be calling for a thorough investigation into this situation. I will be calling on the Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration to do an investigation into both the taxation zone rebate system applicable in Australia and the effects of fly-in, fly-out work forces on regional Australia.

The propositions that I have put thus far over these six years to increase the population in regional Australia include not only an increase in the taxation zone rebate but, more than that, also an additional incentive of giving a reduction of up to 25 per cent on the HECS fees payable by young professionals who are prepared to work and reside, as bona fide residents, in regional Australia.

Something has to be done. If we do not address the declining population situation we are going to find larger and larger land-holdings with fewer and fewer people, to the point where those inhabitants of Australian cities who wish to make a perhaps once-in-a-lifetime romantic return to the bush are going to find no-one left there to pour the petrol or the beer—and a romantic experience in inland Australia will never be the same again.

It is no secret that in 1945, when the taxation zone rebate was first introduced, the rebate encouraged populations to move to regional Australia, be employed, earn money and raise a family. It was that act that perpetuated the positive outlook of Australians living in remote Australia. It can be done again and it ought to be done again. An increase in the taxation zone rebate needs to be seriously looked at to once again encourage populations to get back to the bush. In a return government, I will be making a very loud call to our Treasurer to address the situation once and for all.