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and Austrade are currently exploring opportunities for greater integration of business programs to facilitate their efficient delivery throughout the region. AusIndustry is a critical link in this process. It is important to the future prosperity of the region that the New South Wales, ACT and Commonwealth governments move in the same direction on business and regional development matters.

In respect of regional development, the ACT and region is well placed to take advantage of national programs to support regional development. The ACT Government is working in cooperation with the New South Wales and Commonwealth governments to support the work of the South East Regional Development Council. The council is currently developing its strategic plan for the region for the next three years. Appropriately, the draft plan will be launched on 1 June, during Canberra Region Week. The council is seeking wide private and public sector participation in the development of its strategic plan and is currently identifying a number of specific region-wide projects which it will support through funding feasibility studies and promotion to government funding bodies. Projects range from infrastructure proposals, communications and information technology, environmental management, access to finance for small- to medium-sized business, sport and tourism. One of these projects, for example, will involve examining the feasibility of developing an electronically networked region through the extension of the Gungahlin broadbanding project. I am also planning to visit and meet with a range of local government and business leaders throughout the region later next month to discuss a number of regional development issues. I hope during that visit to see first-hand some of the activities which the council is considering supporting.

Another area where the ACT and New South Wales governments are working closely to ensure administrative efficiency and to maximise the outcomes for business is in the tourism sector. Canberra Tourism and Tourism New South Wales are supporting joint marketing and promotion of the region to attract both domestic and international visitors. An example of this cooperation is the promotional work being undertaken by the Southern Tablelands Canberra Regional Tourism Organisation - an organisation on which both governments and local industry are represented. The first major joint promotion will surround the region's springtime celebrations, including our very successful Floriade. The springtime promotion aims to encourage visitors to come to the region and stay longer to experience all that the region has to offer. Such joint approaches make good economic sense and encourage greater cooperation within the region among governments and businesses alike. Canberra Tourism is also working closely with other Canberra region localities on joint promotions; for example, the Snowy Mountains and the South Coast. One initiative under development is a backpackers budget touring guide that encompasses Canberra, the Southern Tablelands, the South Coast and the Snowy Mountains. (Quorum formed)

Mr Speaker, the ACT Government is also involved in regional planning issues through the ACT and Sub-region Planning Committee. The committee involves representatives of the ACT, New South Wales and Commonwealth governments and the five New South Wales local councils surrounding the ACT. The draft strategy provides a framework for integrating and guiding regional development and resource management to a possible future regional population of about 560,000 by the year 2021. The draft strategy complements the work of the South East Regional Development Council and is due to be released shortly for community consultation.

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