(1)  

   On what date did the Government appoint the Regional Business Development Analysis (RBDA).

(2)   On what date did the RBDA report to the Government.

(3)   What were the recommendations of the RBDA.

(4)   Which recommendations of the RBDA has the Government implemented.

(5)   Which recommendations of the RBDA has the Government still to implement.

(1)   The Government appointed the Regional Business Development Analysis (RBDA) Panel on 25 June 2002.

(2)   The RBDA Panel presented its report to the Government on 7 July 2003.

(3)   The RBDA recommendations are: Develop Small Business Financing Programme (1)   (a)   To improve access to finance for regional businesses, we are proposing the development of a small business financing programme.                 Pilot Revolving Loan Fund Programme

(1)  

(a)   To improve access to finance for regional businesses, we are proposing the development of a small business financing programme.                 Pilot Revolving Loan Fund Programme

(b)   To improve access to finance for regional businesses, we are proposing the piloting of a revolving loan fund programme in one or more of the Sustainable Regions Programme areas. Facilitate Provision of Specialist Support Services

(c)   To improve access to finance for regional businesses, we are proposing governments ensure specialist support services are available to assist regional small businesses Accelerated Depreciation

(d)   To improve access to finance for regional businesses, we are proposing accelerated depreciation on certain classes of fixed assets where the collateral value is significantly less than the construction cost. Promotion of Regional Australia’s Positive Features (2)   (a)   To improve the flow of investment capital into regional Australia, we are proposing governments and regional networks act together to promote the positive features of regional Australia, especially the investment opportunities and its lifestyle advantages.                 Pilot Business Angel Investment Programme

(b)   To improve the flow of investment capital into regional Australia, we are proposing a pilot business angel investment programme to attract smaller amounts of capital to a region. One Stop Shop Regional Planning Bodies and Whole of Government Coordination (3)   (a)   To ensure regional businesses are able to compete effectively in national and global markets, we are proposing Heads of Government establish a specific taskforce to formulate a process to establish for each region a body to have responsibility for achieving long term regional planning outcomes that lead to business development and growth, and for delivering those government services that provide a solid foundation for business development and growth                 Leveraging Change within Regional Government

(b)   To ensure regional businesses are able to compete effectively in national and global markets, we are proposing Heads of Government establish a specific taskforce to develop a mechanism through which Commonwealth funding can be used to leverage a greater level of strategic coordination among, and where appropriate, the rationalisation and consolidation of, the various bodies involved in regional planning and development Regulatory Impact Review Processes

(c)   To ensure regional businesses are able to compete effectively in national and global markets, we are proposing Heads of Government establish a specific taskforce to recommend changes to the regulatory framework to reduce the level of uncertainty for business development and investment Management Skills Base Development

(d)   To ensure regional businesses are able to compete effectively in national and global markets, we are proposing Heads of Government establish a specific taskforce to develop a framework to underpin development of a solid management skills base for regional business operators though some form of specialist support service. Promoting Regional Benchmarking

(2)  

(a)   To improve the flow of investment capital into regional Australia, we are proposing governments and regional networks act together to promote the positive features of regional Australia, especially the investment opportunities and its lifestyle advantages.                 Pilot Business Angel Investment Programme

(b)   To improve the flow of investment capital into regional Australia, we are proposing a pilot business angel investment programme to attract smaller amounts of capital to a region. One Stop Shop Regional Planning Bodies and Whole of Government Coordination (3)   (a)   To ensure regional businesses are able to compete effectively in national and global markets, we are proposing Heads of Government establish a specific taskforce to formulate a process to establish for each region a body to have responsibility for achieving long term regional planning outcomes that lead to business development and growth, and for delivering those government services that provide a solid foundation for business development and growth                 Leveraging Change within Regional Government

(b)   To ensure regional businesses are able to compete effectively in national and global markets, we are proposing Heads of Government establish a specific taskforce to develop a mechanism through which Commonwealth funding can be used to leverage a greater level of strategic coordination among, and where appropriate, the rationalisation and consolidation of, the various bodies involved in regional planning and development Regulatory Impact Review Processes

(c)   To ensure regional businesses are able to compete effectively in national and global markets, we are proposing Heads of Government establish a specific taskforce to recommend changes to the regulatory framework to reduce the level of uncertainty for business development and investment Management Skills Base Development

(d)   To ensure regional businesses are able to compete effectively in national and global markets, we are proposing Heads of Government establish a specific taskforce to develop a framework to underpin development of a solid management skills base for regional business operators though some form of specialist support service. Promoting Regional Benchmarking

(3)  

(a)   To ensure regional businesses are able to compete effectively in national and global markets, we are proposing Heads of Government establish a specific taskforce to formulate a process to establish for each region a body to have responsibility for achieving long term regional planning outcomes that lead to business development and growth, and for delivering those government services that provide a solid foundation for business development and growth                 Leveraging Change within Regional Government

(b)   To ensure regional businesses are able to compete effectively in national and global markets, we are proposing Heads of Government establish a specific taskforce to develop a mechanism through which Commonwealth funding can be used to leverage a greater level of strategic coordination among, and where appropriate, the rationalisation and consolidation of, the various bodies involved in regional planning and development Regulatory Impact Review Processes

(c)   To ensure regional businesses are able to compete effectively in national and global markets, we are proposing Heads of Government establish a specific taskforce to recommend changes to the regulatory framework to reduce the level of uncertainty for business development and investment Management Skills Base Development

(d)   To ensure regional businesses are able to compete effectively in national and global markets, we are proposing Heads of Government establish a specific taskforce to develop a framework to underpin development of a solid management skills base for regional business operators though some form of specialist support service. Promoting Regional Benchmarking

(4)   To assist regions seeking to maintain and promote their competitive advantage, we are proposing the Regional Development Council prepare an information brief for distribution to regional bodies involved in preparing long-term regional economic plans to provide advice about the benefits to regions of the benchmarking process. Zonal Tax Rebate Scheme (5)   (a)   To address anomalies in the current Zonal Tax Rebate Scheme, we are proposing Government remove eligibility for the rebate from those people who are employed under a fly-in/fly-out arrangement and whose principal place of residence is not in one of the designated zones

(5)  

(a)   To address anomalies in the current Zonal Tax Rebate Scheme, we are proposing Government remove eligibility for the rebate from those people who are employed under a fly-in/fly-out arrangement and whose principal place of residence is not in one of the designated zones

(b)   To address anomalies in the current Zonal Tax Rebate Scheme, we are proposing Government review the Zonal Tax Rebate Scheme with a view to: - aligning the boundaries with generally accepted Australian Bureau of Statistics boundaries for ‘remote’ and ‘very remote’ - introducing provisions that limit access to the scheme for people on high incomes - introducing provisions that provide for regular indexing of the rate of the rebate in line with shifts in the consumer price index for regional and remote Australia. Provide Welcoming Environment and Facilities (6)   (a)   (i) To attract skilled people to regional Australia, we are proposing regions actively pursue regional marketing strategies that focus on both attracting skilled people and creating the right climate to make people and business feel welcome. Identify Regional Skill Shortages

(b)   To attract skilled people to regional Australia, we are proposing governments improve their marketing of business migration initiatives to regional business and other regional development organisations. First Home Owners Scheme

(6)  

(a)   To attract skilled people to regional Australia, we are proposing regions actively pursue regional marketing strategies that focus on both attracting skilled people and creating the right climate to make people and business feel welcome. Identify Regional Skill Shortages

(b)   To attract skilled people to regional Australia, we are proposing governments improve their marketing of business migration initiatives to regional business and other regional development organisations. First Home Owners Scheme

(ii)  

   To attract skilled people to regional Australia, we are proposing regions actively pursue regional marketing strategies that identify skill shortages in their area and make more effective use of existing business migration initiatives.

   Promote Awareness of Existing Regional Development Mechanisms

   (b)   To attract skilled people to regional Australia, we are proposing governments improve their marketing of business migration initiatives to regional business and other regional development organisations.

   First Home Owners Scheme

(7)   To increase the commitment of skilled and unskilled workers to a region, we are proposing the Government undertake detailed research into the potential benefits of providing regionally based incentive payments over and above the existing First Home Owners Scheme. Leadership Training Coordination

(8)   To assist in fostering regional leadership, we are proposing the Regional Development Council develop a framework that links existing Commonwealth and state and territory leadership programs to provide a more effective network for the development of leaders and potential leaders in regional communities, especially young people. Establish an Independent National Advisory Group

(9)   To ensure an objective prioritisation of major infrastructure projects of national significance that are not likely to attract private sector investment, we are proposing the establishment of an independent national advisory group, to advise the Council of Australian Governments on priorities for infrastructure development, which are based on connectivity between regions and national and global markets. Facilitate Regional Infrastructure Bond Market

(10)   To overcome the chronic under investment in small regional infrastructure projects, we are proposing the Government facilitate the development of a regional infrastructure bond market.

(4)   and (5) The Government is addressing many of the impediments to the growth of regional business that were identified in the RBDA report. For example, the Government is proceeding with two pilot initiatives for regional small businesses to increase their ability to access finance. The first initiative relates to a request for funding proposals under the Regional Partnerships programme that will improve access to finance for regional businesses. Proposals are being sought to improve:

   A full description of the initiative and the programme guidelines are contained in the website www.regionalpartnerships.gov.au

   The second initiative concerns a Request for Tender by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) to implement the Attracting Investment to Regional Australia component of the Investment and Trade in Regional Australia Package.

   The project will pilot the establishment of investment networks and deliver coaching/mentoring services that provide one-on-one investment assistance to regional businesses.

   The successful tender(s) will also identify further commercial opportunities for the provision of investment and business network services to businesses in regional Australia. Further information may be obtained from the ALGA website at http://www.alga.asn.au/policy/regional/ doc/20050114.php

   Other Government initiatives that will assist regional businesses focus on skills shortages and skilled migration, regional information, easing the burden of government regulation and business information.

   For example, the Australian Government has introduced enhancements to skilled migration visas to attract migrants with skills to regional areas. In addition, the Government is proceeding with the creation of 24 Australian Technical Colleges, mostly in regional areas, to provide trade training for about 7,200 students over four years.

   The Government’s Regional Women’s Advisory Council has examined how regions can best provide a welcoming environment for newcomers, and their views have been widely circulated through the local government associations network.

   The Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics has commenced a new series of publicly available information papers providing targeted research and analysis into regional development. This will complement work by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to develop a website to improve access to regional statistics.

   In relation to business advice, the Government has developed a website www.smallbusiness.gov.au which assists the development of regional business by providing general information on starting and operating a small or home-based business.

   The Government has introduced a number of reforms to reduce the regulatory burden on regional business. For example it has instituted procedures to allow around 740,000 small businesses to report and pay GST yearly, instead of quarterly. Small businesses with a turnover up to $2 million can apply private use apportionment for GST purposes on an annual basis.

   Small businesses in regional areas will also benefit from a simpler and more straightforward system of claiming fuel credits through their BAS returns. Business will only be required to fill in one form, and will have only one point of contact with the Australian Tax Office.