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Ingram calls on Parliament to investigate rural inequitiesThe Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has called the Victorian Parliament to investigate the outrageous inequities that have developed in road and other infrastructure funding at a State and Federal level and the impact of those inequities By Craig Ingram - 26th August 2004 - Back to News Mr Ingram said it is clear that the current policies from State and Federal governments are having an impact on the viability of rural communities.
"I have called on the Parliament to request the all-party Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee to investigate what assistance or measures could be undertaken to improve the economy, business productivity and other measures to attract investment and creating competitive advantage in the rural Victoria."
Mr Ingram says the committee should investigate the following:
- The current infrastructure of rural and regional areas and whether they are adequate to meet the needs of those communities;
- The difficulties facing business and local government authorities operating in rural and regional areas;
- A review of the current legislation, taxation and government policy to ensure that it is equitably administered and delivered across all areas of Victoria;
- An investigation of the causes for the large discrepancies of the value of municipal rates and land valuations across the state;
- A review of the Grants Commission acts performance in its objective of horizontal equalisation;
- A review of the impact of the as of right entitlement provisions contained within the state and federal grants commission acts on funding to local government areas;
- The funding of road and rail infrastructure and services across the state; and find solutions to any identified inequities.
"I would like to think all political parties will support this motion if they are so certain that their current policies are beneficial and equitable to all constituents," Mr Ingram concluded.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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