A NEW department for regional Australia with a dedicated minister in Cabinet are part of the deal that put Julia Gillard in The Lodge.
The significant move has received less attention than the $9.9 billion regional spending plan that was considered crucial in gaining Labor the support of the two NSW rural independents.
It is understood this new Cabinet position could could be the job that's been offered to independent Rob Oakeshott who, with the other NSW independent Tony Windsor, yesterday backed Labor to form government.
Under the deal, there will also be a new Regional Australia sub-committee of Cabinet and a regional Australia co-ordinating unit in the Prime Minister's department, reinforcing the new emphasis on rural policies demanded by the independents.
The new Regional Australia minister and department will be responsible for developing new regional initiatives and giving advice on regional issues to all other ministers and departments.
The 33-page agreement between Labor and the two independents contains commitments to reform parliamentary procedures as well as give rural Australia extra funding and priority in health, education and broadband policies.
