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The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have today announced the new Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Territory committee members. The new members will join the RDA Chair, Alice Springs Mayor Damien Ryan, and the Deputy Chair, Darwin City Council Alderman Kerry Moir, in the new regional development organisation. Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Maxine McKew, the Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, and Northern Territory Minister for Regional Development, Karl Hampton, today congratulated the appointees: | Name | Area | | Mr Stephen Baldwin | Tennant Creek | | Mr Michael Berto | Katherine | | Ms Tracy Brand | Alice Springs | | Ms Lynette De Santis | Tiwi Islands | | Mr Peter Herden | Darwin | | Ms Sarah Kerin | Arnhem | | Mr Scott Perkins | Darwin | | Mr Luke Philips | Darwin, Representative from the
Chief Minister's NT Youth Round Table | These appointments follow the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on RDA NT by Ms McKew and Minister Hampton in June 2009. "I look forward to working with the RDA NT committee members on regional development issues that are close to their communities," Ms McKew said. "RDA NT will be a first point of contact for regional communities across all levels of government and will promote regional initiatives and partnerships. "The Rudd Labor Government is listening to regional communities and responding to local needs," Ms McKew said. Mr Snowdon said the Rudd Government's co-ordinated approach to deliver infrastructure while supporting jobs was already reaping dividends. "We have moved to cushion the impact of the global economic recession through our Economic Stimulus Plan, which now includes more than $1 billion for the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program." "This investment is being delivered from Alice Springs to West Arnhem - in every local government area. Mr Hampton said the establishment of RDA NT and today's appointments mark a new beginning for regional advocacy and on-the-ground development in regional communities. "The immediate priorities for RDA NT include: supporting business and economic development through Indigenous business, employment and training; and supporting communities through social inclusion initiatives. "The RDA committees will integrate the work of all levels of government and act as local champions to improve regional economies." Mr Hampton said he was particularly pleased that the RDA NT committee includes members of the Territory's Economic Development Committees. Ms McKew, Mr Snowdon and Mr Hampton thanked the previous members of the Area Consultative Committee for their work. "I urge all the new RDA committee members to build on the work of their predecessors and provide a strong voice for their regions," Ms McKew said. The Parliamentary Secretary and the Ministers also thanked all applicants for the RDA committee positions. For more information and up to date news on RDA visit www.rda.gov.au.
Media Contacts
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Matt Pulford (
McKew's Office ) |
0434 655 781
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Kate Sieper (
Snowdon's Office ) |
0488 484 689
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Edwin Edlund (
Hampton's Office ) |
0401 119 563
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