FED:We didn't let regions down: Truss=6

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2010
FED:We didn't let regions down: Truss=6

Mr Truss said Mr Crook told Monday's meeting he would want to see progress in his goals
and objectives, including a return of more regional wealth back to the regions.

In particular he called for the the commonwealth to match the $860 million provided
by the WA state government to regions under its Royalties for Regions program.

Under that program, 25 per cent of the state's mining and onshore petroleum royalties
are returned to regional areas each year for investment in projects, infrastructure and
community services.

Mr Truss said the coalition supported a greater return of regional generated wealth.

He said the royalties program had been popular and successful in WA and was delivering
real results.

"And we want to deliver similar results," but Mr Truss acknowledged this proposal had
been rejected at the Nationals' annual conference in June.

But he said "we want to make sure there is a better return to the regions."

Mr Truss said the federal government did not collect much by way of royalties.

"So it's not practical for us to have a program that's identical to the WA program.

So we have go to look at more innovative way to be able to deliver similar benefits,"

he said.

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KEYWORD: POLL10 TRUSS 6 CANBERRA

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