Page 2418 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 6 August 1991
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recover the full costs of road usage. I was one of the signatories to an intergovernmental agreement relating to the establishment of the commission.
Agreement was also reached on the establishment of Australia's first National Rail Corporation. This will ensure, for the first time, that Australia has a single company responsible for interstate rail freight across the country. By operating on a commercial basis, the corporation will become an efficient and competitive alternative carrier to road transport.
Another important area of micro-economic reform is the establishment of a National Grid Management Council. This will provide an effective planning base for the efficient and environmentally sound operation of the electricity industry in eastern and southern Australia. Competitive efficiencies will be gained by allowing electricity to be purchased from any source within the grid.
A further important agreement reached by leaders and representatives in relation to the improved efficiency of the economy concerns the rationalisation of regulatory activities undertaken by different governments. In particular, it was agreed that, to ensure effective interstate mobility of goods and labour, mutual recognition should apply where uniform national standards are not essential. This will enable goods or occupations which meet standards set in one jurisdiction to be recognised elsewhere.
In addition to micro-economic reforms, another area of major importance considered by the conference relates to the provision of programs and services to the community. In this area, heads of government reaffirmed the commitment, made at last year's conference in Brisbane, to improving the way in which programs and services are delivered by reducing overlap and duplication between the different levels of government. In particular, a detailed agreement was signed on the rationalisation of roles and responsibilities for disability services.
In future, the Commonwealth will assume responsibility for employment- related services for people with disabilities, with the States and Territories having responsibility for accommodation and support services. The two levels of government will coordinate the strategic planning of their respective services. The objective of this reform is to ensure that services are delivered to people with disabilities in a more coordinated and efficient manner. Reports on reviews of other programs and services will be provided to the next Special Premiers Conference, to be held in November this year in Perth.
Mr Speaker, the communique from the July conference describes in detail the outcomes of discussions at the conference. For the information of the Assembly, I table a copy of the communique.
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