Australian Politics and Policy - Senior, 2019a

Regional policy
in common, such as topographical features (for example, the Snowy Mountains)
or industry (like the Wheatbelt, known for its agricultural products, or the wine
region of South Australia). Territorial boundaries are usually politically significant
and may influence the distribution of power and resources. For example, state
boundaries often delineate particular funding arrangements or policies.
From a policy perspective, there are a variety of regional administrative
designations. There are multiple agencies, such as the Commonwealth government
Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees, Western Australian Regional
Development Commissions, local government regional zones and local government
areas, each of which have defined roles with particular boundaries and
funding arrangements.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census of Population and Housing is
held every five years. Because participation is compulsory, it provides a consistent
range of information about the economy and populations for all Australia. ABS
boundaries occasionally change with population fluctuations but are consistent
enough to provide useful baseline information about places and people. The data
are divided into geographic areas, defined by the Australian Standard Geographical
Classification (ASGC). The ASGC determines statistical areas based on population
densities, geographical structures, such as remoteness, and urban/rural definitions.
3 Most states have multiple regions. 4
The ABS divides Australia into five classes of remoteness (Remoteness Areas
[RAs]) based on the Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA). This
employs road distance measurements to the nearest service centres. The RAs are:
• major cities
• inner regional
• outer regional
• remote
• very remote.
RegionsandregionalAustraliaarenotstatic;thereisconstantchange,drivenby
market forces, climatic conditions, social trends and even political arrangements.
These influence where people live and what livelihoods they pursue. Policy
decisions are also fluid but influential; how and where public and private
investment is directed impacts job prospects, liveability and accessibility and
therefore the links between people and places.
A Commonwealth Government Standing Committee 5 noted that, from a
national perspective, regions in Australia have been defined in a number of ways,
including as:
3 ABS 2018.
4 With the exception of Tasmania. The Northern Territory is also counted as one region.
5 House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Regional
Development and Local Government 2009.
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