Home > Our Publications > Australian Outlook> 2004 > June

THE Australian Government is committed to helping regional Australia share the benefits of Migration Programme through achieving a greater dispersal of migrant and humanitarian entrants to regional areas.
"Increasing settlement in regional Australia will contribute to the long-term development aims of Australia's regional towns and cities, and will help to address the labour shortages that many regional employers are encountering," the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Gary Hardgrave said.
A total of $4.9m will support increased grants under the Community Settlement Services Scheme, helping to provide initial information and referral services for new arrivals including humanitarian entrants, dependants of skilled migrants and other family members who settle in regional Australia through the family stream.
Mr Hardgrave also announced that humanitarian settlement in regional Australia would increase. "The Australian Government recognises the special settlement needs of refugees, but also the positive contribution they can make to regional communities," he said.
Progressive future expansion of regional humanitarian settlement aims to double the number of refugees successfully settling in regional Australia by 2005-06. $2.1m will provide for travel and other service delivery for humanitarian entrants.
"We need to help new entrants develop a sense of belonging within regional communities, and a long-term commitment to those areas. We can do this by ensuring that their initial experience of the area is positive, and that they see good long-term prospects within the region for themselves and their families," the minister concluded.