Local Government: Financial Challenges

Mr Fletcher asked the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, in writing, on 19 June 2012:

Further to the answer to question in writing No. 840 (House Hansard, 8 May 2012, page 4216) in which he stated that Ernst and Young had been commissioned to conduct an analysis of prioritisation and financing of local government infrastructure due to report in April 2012, can he indicate:

(a) whether the report has been provided to the Government; and if so, will it be publicly released; and if not, why not; and

(b) if the report has not been provided to the Government, when is it expected to be provided, and does the Government plan to release it publicly when it is provided; and, if not, why not.

Mr Crean: The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(a) The Ernst & Young report has been provided to Government and has been publicly released. The report is available on my Department's website: www.regional.gov.au.

(b) N/A.