The Federal Government’s whole of government response to the issues raised at the Northern Australia Forum is to be delivered by Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald towards the end of the year.
A great number of issues were raised at the six themed workshops at the Forum.
These themes, selected by the Northern Australian delegates, concentrated on the following.
- The role of the three spheres of government and developing private sector and government partnerships.
- Industry opportunities, trade and exports.
- Infrastructure and infrastructure finance.
- Essential services for growth and development.
- Tourism, arts and culture.
- Sustainable development.
The response is particularly structured to address the actions recommended by the workshop attendees. It also provides some detail of Commonwealth programmes and services which address areas of concern.
The Northern Australia Forum was held in Katherine, Northern Territory, from 17-20 October 2000 to identify the direction for northern Australia into the new millennium, especially the economic development of northern Australia.
A series of pre forum local consultations were held across the north and the Federal Government has already provided formal whole of government responses to the top local priorities identified in each of the regions (Far North Queensland, Northern and Central Queensland, Western Queensland, Torres Strait, Top End (NT), Central Australia (NT), Gascoyne, Pilbara, Kimberley, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Christmas Island).
For more information on the Northern Australia Forum or any of the eleven region specific responses, contact the Department of Transport and Regional Services on (02) 6274 8159 or follow the website at www.dotrs.gov.au/regional/northern_forum/index.htm
