PRIME MINISTER 106/ 93
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON. P. J. KEATING
PRIMS MINISTER'S RURAL AND REGIONA TASK FORCE
I am pleased to announce today the formation of a new
Prime ministerS Rural and Regional Task Force to help
the Federal GovernenL better meet the needs of
Australians living outside the capital cities.
The task force is based largely on the successful former
Country Task Force but its role has been broadened and
will be co-ordinated with other Government activities
already underway, especially those associated with
regional development.
The key aims of the Task Force will be:
1. To inform rural Australians of relevant Government
programs. 2. To assess the suitability of Government programs
which assist rural Australians.
3. To reporL on the effectiveness and efficiency of
those programs.
4. To advise the Prime Minister of any impediments to
improving the performance of rural industries and, in
particular, rural export performance.
The decision to establish the Task Force was made
yesterday at a meeLing between mryself and the minister
for Primary Industrie6 and E~ nergy, Mr Crean, the Task
Force chairman, Mr Harry Wood5, Secretary Bob Horne, and
Senator Sue West.
Like the Country Task Force the new body will deal with
all rural and socio-economic issues, including small
business, the delivery of services, issues affecLing
women, care fo~ r the elderly, employment and primary
production. Its work will be directed as mu~ ch to people
living in provincial towns and cities as to the farm
sector. The Task Force will make regular visits to rural and
regional Australia to meet with a wide range of conrnunity
groups and other representatives and will report directly
to me.
Mr Woods can be contacted on ( 006) 42 6356.
Mr Dick Adams ( Depu-ty Chairperson) on ( 003) 31 2033
Mr Bob Homne ( Secretary) on ( 049) 34 5656
CANBERRA October 1, 1993