Senator O'Brien asked the Minister representing the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 5 August 1999:

(1) (a) What procedures are followed in assessing applications from state governments, local government authorities and community groups for funding through the Roads of National Importance (RONI) program; and (b) who undertakes the assessment.

(2) By type of applicant, how many applications for funding through the RONI program were assessed in the 1997-98, 1998-99 and to date in the 1999-2000 financial years.

(3) How many applications were approved in the above financial years.

Senator Ian Macdonald (Regional Services, Territories and Local Government) —The Minister for Transport and Regional Services has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) (a) There is no formal application process for Roads of National Importance (RONI) funding. In its RONI program, the Government is responding to a strong view in the community that its road responsibilities extend further than the National Highway network.

Candidate roads are selected against the issued guidelines, the Government's assessment of community needs and available funding.

(b) The Government makes the assessment of which roads will receive funding.

(2) There is no application process for RONI funding. Numerous requests for funding assistance are received from time to time from State and local governments and a wide range of community groups for many roads across Australia. It would be a significant diversion of resources to provide a list of these requests.

(3) The Government agreed to provide funding for 3 RONIs in 1997-98, 1 in 1998-99 and 3 to date in 1999-2000.