THE impact of the global financial crisis on regional Australia will be investigated by a federal parliamentary inquiry.

The move was announced today by the chair of the House of Representatives Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Committee, Ballarat MP Catherine King.

Ms King said the inquiry would highlight the impacts of the economic crisis as well as making recommendations about the role the federal government should play in ensuring regional Australia can respond to the crisis.

In particular, it will look at how economic development and jobs can be stimulated and how essential services and social infrastructure can be put in place in a sustainable way.

“Effects of the global financial crisis are being felt right across the nation,” Ms King said.

“However regional areas of Australia tend to feel the impacts of economic downturns before metropolitan areas as they do not have the same capacity to absorb job losses and economic declines as the capital cities do.”

Ms King said the inquiry would identify some of the key challenges facing Australia’s regional areas and recommend ways in which the federal government could assist in enhancing the “liveability” of these regions to ensure future growth and prosperity.

“It will have a particular focus on supporting regional economies and jobs, as well as the development of essential services and social infrastructure to enhance liveability.”

Submissions will be received until 27 March 2009 and can be e-mailed to itrdlg.reps@aph.gov.au or sent to:

ITRDLG Committee, House of Representatives,
PO Box 6021, Parliament House, 
Canberra  ACT  2600