[Australia]: Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government Media Centre

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Overview​

The Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government is an Australian Government department responsible for policy coordination and program delivery for Regional Australia, Northern Australia, Local Governments and the federal territories. The intended outcomes of the department are for good governance in the Australian territories through the maintenance and improvement of the overarching legislative framework for self-governing territories and laws and services for non self-governing territories as well as coordinating community infrastructure in rural, regional and local government areas through financial assistance. The portfolio also includes government agencies such as the Australian Council of Local Government, the Australian Local Government Association, the National Capital Authority, the Office of Northern Australia, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, Regional Development Australia, the Regional Telecommunications Review, the Torres Strait Regional Authority, the Northern Land Council, the Central Land Council, the Tiwi Land Council, the Anindilyakwa Land Council and Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council. It also administers various programs and schemes such as the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme, the Financial Assistance Grant to Local Government, Regional Recovery Partnerships, various Regional Communications Programs and various Regional and Community Programs. The functions of the department are broadly classified into the following matters as laid out in an Administrative Arrangements Order: Administration of the Jervis Bay Territory, the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Territory of Christmas Island, the Coral Sea Islands Territory, the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and of Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island Constitutional development of the Northern Territory Constitutional development of the Australian Capital Territory Delivery of regional, rural and territory specific services and programmes Planning and land management in the Australian Capital Territory Regional development Matters relating to local government Regional Australia policy and coordination Northern Australia policy and coordination Administration of federally-mandated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land councils, community councils and regional authorities Support for ministers and parliamentary secretaries with regional responsibilities