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Putting basic services back into rural areas

The Government has announced that it will set aside $70 million over five years to help establish up to 500 Rural Transaction Centres across Australia. The funds will be drawn from the social bonus arising from the sale of a further 16% of Telstra.

The Centres, which will provide improved access to personal banking, Medicare EasyClaim, phone, fax and postal services for rural Australians, are expected to be run by local communities in conjunction with state and local governments, commercial service providers and local businesses.

The Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald has described the programme as a major boost for rural Australia. Speaking to National Perspective, Senator Macdonald said the Government recognised that many rural communities did not have the same access to some basic services that urban dwellers take for granted.

"There has been a decline in many of these services over twenty to thirty years, which is why the Government has announced this exciting initiative," said Senator Macdonald.

Under the Government's proposals, funds will be available for capital costs and maintenance of RTCs in the early stages. However, it is expected that combining services under one roof, and the increased number of transactions arising from multiple service providers, will create efficiencies and make RTCs self funding after a few years.

The Government's RTC programme will initially target small communities with populations of between 500 and 3000 that are unable to attract or retain basic services. At a later stage, it is envisaged that the programme will be open to other communities with a strong case for assistance.

Senator Macdonald has said that the involvement and support of local government is critical to the success of the RTC programme. He said that he saw considerable scope for local councils to integrate proposals for RTCs with their own improvements in service delivery, ranging from support with the application process, through to co-location in council premises.

Senator Macdonald indicated that he would be writing shortly to all local government associations inviting them to support the programme. National Perspective understands that the Commonwealth Government is developing phase one of the RTC programme to establish around 18 centres throughout regional Australia.

These are scheduled to be fully operational by around October this year. Phase I will lay the groundwork for the widespread establishment of RTCs in Phase II, which is pending the next 16% sale of Telstra.

A notice will appear in National Perspective on how to apply for an RTC in your rural community. The Government is considering a commercial broker to arrange for RTCs to be fully operational in those communities that successfully bid for an RTC, bringing much needed services to help rural communities prosper and grow.

More information about the RTC programme will appear in future issues of National Perspective.

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