Legislative Assembly

Inquiry into the Impact of Structural Changes in the Victorian Economy

Final Report

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Final Report
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Interim Report

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Economic Development Committee
Interim Report

ORDERED TO BE PRINTED

August 2001

by Authority.

Government Printer for the State of Victoria

No. 91 - Session 1999/2001

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

MEMBERS

Hon. Neil Lucas, P.S.M., M.L.C. (Chairman)

Hon. Theo Theophanous, M.L.C. (Deputy Chairman)

Hon. Ron Best, M.L.C.

Hon. Andrea Coote, M.L.C.

Hon. Geoff Craige, M.L.C.

Hon. Kaye Darveniza, M.L.C.

Hon. John McQuilten, M.L.C.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND RESEARCH STAFF

Mr R.Willis, Executive Officer

Ms T. Esposito, Office Manager

Ms K. Ellingford, Research Officer

The Committee's Address is:

Level 8

35 Spring Street

MELBOURNE 3000

Telephone: (03) 9651 3592

Facsimile: (03) 9651 3691

E-mail: edc@parliament.vic.gov.au

Website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/edev

Parliamentary Committees Act 1968

TERMS OF REFERENCE TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

IMPACT OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE VICTORIAN ECONOMY

The Governor in Council, under section 39 of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968 issues the following terms of reference to the Economic Development Committee for inquiry into structural changes in the Victorian economy:

a) Assess the impact on the Victorian economy of structural changes in:

I. banking;

II. postal communications;

III. municipal services (including the reduction in the number of municipal outlets due to the recent municipal amalgamations;

IV. public transport; and

V. employment services

b) Assess the impact of the withdrawal of the above services (including the reduction in the number of municipal outlets due to the recent municipal amalgamations) on small and medium sized towns.

c) Report by the first day of the Spring 2001 Parliamentary session.

Dated: 29 February 2000

Responsible Minister:

Steve Bracks Premier

Clerk of the Executive Council

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

INQUIRY INTO THE IMPACT OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE VICTORIAN ECONOMY

INTERIM REPORT

1. Background

On 29th February 2000, the Economic Development Committee received a Terms of Reference through Governor-in-Council, to inquire into and report on the impact of structural changes in the Victorian economy.

Specifically, the Committee is required to assess the impact of structural changes in:

1. Banking

2. Postal communications

3. Municipal services

4. Public transport

5. Employment Services.

The Committee is also required to assess the impact of the withdrawal of the above services (including the reduction in the number of municipal outlets due to the recent municipal amalgamations) on small and medium sized towns.

The Terms of Reference requires the Committee to table a report by the first day of the Spring 2001 Parliamentary session.

2. Purpose of Interim Report

Over the past 12 months, the Committee has been involved in conducting separate inquiries into the GST and Workcover Premiums. Investigations into these inquiries has precluded the Committee from advancing with its Structural Changes Inquiry to a position which would enable a final report to be tabled in line with the reporting deadline of the first sitting day of the 2001 Spring Session.

It is therefore necessary for the Committee to table this Interim Report which provides a brief overview of the Committee's activities to date. It is anticipated the final report will be completed and tabled during the 2002 Autumn Session.

3. Progress Report

The Committee advertised its Terms of Reference in November 2000 seeking written submissions. To date 35 written submissions have been received.

Informal meetings have also been held with key organisations in Canberra and Sydney including the Australian Bankers' Association, Department of Employment, Workplace Relations & Small Business, the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority and Rural Transaction Centres.

The Committee is planning a series of public hearings in Melbourne and throughout regional Victoria during the second half of 2001. Particular emphasis will be placed on obtaining evidence from communities in small and medium sized towns.

The Committee's final report will be tabled in the 2002 Autumn Session.

13th August 2001

Submissions

: Created: Tuesday, 06 October 2009 16:54; Last Updated: Tuesday, 06 October 2009 16:54

Advertisement calling for submissions

The Governor in Council has referred to the Economic Development Committee a reference into the impact on the Victorian economy of structural changes in banking, postal communications, municipal services, public transport and employment services.

The Committee is also required to assess the impact of the withdrawal of the above services on small and medium sized towns throughout Victoria.

The Committee is inviting written submissions from any persons and organisations that wish to express views on any aspects of this reference.

A copy of the terms of reference can be obtained from the Committee's Research Officer, Ms Karen Ellingford, telephone (03) 9651 3592 or from the Committee's website www.parliament.vic.gov.au/edevc.

Written Submissions should be sent to the address below by 30th April 2001. All submissions are treated as public documents unless confidentiality is requested.

The Hon. Neil Lucas PSM MLC
Chairman
Economic Development Committee
Level 8, 35 Spring Street
MELBOURNE 3000

HON. NEIL LUCAS PSM MLC
CHAIRMAN

Transcripts of Evidence - PDF versions

: Created: Tuesday, 06 October 2009 16:55; Last Updated: Tuesday, 06 October 2009 16:55

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Click on the links below to access a PDF version of the transcripts for the Inquiry into the Impact of Structural Changes in the Victorian Economy.

AUGUST

August 13 2001

Mr G. Ryan, Corporate Secretary; and Mr T. Stephens, National Manager, Financial Services, Retail Group, Australia Post
Professor L. Neilson, Secretary; Mr J. McMillan, Director of Public Transport; and Mr R. Kinnear, Director, Public Transport Planning, Office of the Director of Public Transport, Department of Infrastructure
Prof. L. Neilson, Secretary; Ms P. Digby, Executive Director, Local Government Division; and Mr J. Watson, Director, Governance and Legislation, Department of Infrastructure

August 22 2001

Mr P. Mees, President; andMs A. Morton, Vice-President, Public Transport Users Association
Mr A. Joseph, General Manager, Employment Division, Department of Education, Employment and Training

August_27 2001

Cr P. O’Rorke, Mayor; Mr. W. Braithwaite, Chief Executive Officer; and Mr I. Surridge, Manager, Rural City Development, Rural City of Ararat
WitnessMs A. Hunt, Ballarat Adult and Further Education Centre
Ms J. Wilson; Ms H. Fleming; Mr P. Strom, Willaura and District Community Development Group
Ms B. Healy, Knowledge Navigator, Ararat Community Enterprise Centre
Cr B. Dunn; and Mr P. Brown, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Horsham Rural City Council
Mr J. Ackland, General Manager, Workco Ltd
Mr P. Jones, Secretary, Wimmera-Mallee Rail Service Association
Mr P. Sabien, Executive Director, Wimmera Development Association
Mr G. Pilgrim, Managing Director, Australian Mower Company

August 28 2001

Cr B. Meyer, Mayor; Cr G. Carracher; Cr R. Hawkins;Cr W. Wait; Cr L. Guthridge; and Ms M. Amos, Economic Development Officer, Shire of West Wimmera
Mrs B. Mitchell, Secretary; and Ms C. Dines, Member, Goroke District Advancement Committee
Ms L. Powell, Kaniva Progress Association; and Ms J. Thring
Mr D. Hunt, President; and Ms M. Watt, Member, Harrow Promotion and Development Group
Mr M. Smith, President, Advance Edenhope
Ms M. Farrelly, Postmistress; and Ms K. Rainsford, Veterinarian
Mr G. Ussing, Westprint Maps Pty Ltd
Mr N. Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer; and Cr R. Gersch, Shire of Hindmarsh
Mr A. Graham, Mulhallen and Sons
Mr W. Manton, Small Business Operator
Mr R. Sherwell, Nhill Traders Association

August 29 2001

Cr D. Bell, Mayor; Cr K. Sleep; and Ms J. Tod, Chief Executive Officer, Shire of Yarriambiack
Mr D. Chesterfield, Manager, Rupanyup/Minyip Community Bank
Mrs J. Crow, Joint Proprietor, Warrack Taxis
Mr P. Haney
Ms S. Farnham, Manager, Workco Ltd
Mr S. Cornish, Chief Executive Officer; and Mr G. Gray, Economic Development and Tourism Officer, Shire of Pyrenees
Mr J. Moser, Vice-chairman, Bendigo Community Bank, Avoca
Mr P. McAloon, Executive Officer, Greater Green Triangle Area Consultative Committee
Mr A. Gray, Chairman, Dunolly Rural Transaction Centre

SEPTEMBER

September 3 2001

Mr B. Carolan, Commercial Director, National Express Group (Australia)
Ms S. Ross, Area Manager, Area North Central Victoria; Mr T. Green, Business Manager, Area North Central Victoria; Mr M. Dullard, Business Manager, Area West Victoria; and Ms D. Major, Customer Segment Leader, Youth and Student Services, Area South East Victoria, Centrelink.

September 11 2001

Cr A. Aird;Cr J. Letchford; and Ms A. McLennan, Acting Director, Community Services, Shire of Macedon Ranges
Mr S. Thompson, Lancefield Post Office
Mr I. Alexander, Manager, Lancefield Community Bank
Ms J. Casey, Coordinator, Cobaw Community Health Service
Ms J. Smith, Financial Counsellor, St Luke’s Anglicare
Ms F. Mackintosh; and Mr K. Notman, Lancefield Business and Tourism Association

September 12 2001

Mr P. McKenzie, Manager, Aged Care and Disability Services, Campaspe Shire Council
Mr B. Holschier, Stanhope Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Mr P. Hodson, Owner/Manager, Jbek Employment
Ms S. Curtis, Secretary, Tongala and District Advisory Group
Ms C. Pearson; and Ms K. Hall, Corop Community Action Group
Mr P. Anderson, Rochester Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ms T. Shearer, Elmore Probus Association; and Ms J. Pellas, Rochester and Elmore District Health Service
Mr R. Herbert, President, Tongala Community Bank
Mr P. Virgona, Heathcote Tourism and Development; and Mr J. Hicks, Visitor Information Centre
Mr J. Marshall, Bus Proprietor, Heathcote

OCTOBER

October 1 2001

Mr J. Costello, Chief Executive Officer; and Mr D. Gallagher, Technical Services Manager, Shire of Indigo
Mr R. Ambrose, Rutherglen Chamber of Commerce
Mr M. Mack, Corporate Development Manager; and Ms E. Ashton, Community Development Manager, WAW Credit Union
Ms B. Murdoch, IGA Supermarket, Chiltern

October 24 2001

Cr J. Hansen, President; and Cr A. Rowe, Member, Victorian Local Governance Association.

NOVEMBER

November 19 2001

Mr N. Armstrong, Chief Executive Officer, Local Government Professionals
WitnessCr R. Larocca, Mayor, City of Moreland
Mr R. Lomdahl, Director of Public Affairs; Mr C. Doody, Area General Manager, South-West Victoria; and Mr G. Wiltshire, Victorian Account Director, Telstra Country Wide

November 26 2001

Mr Geoff Hill, Economic Development Manager; and Ms Robyn Cooney, Manager, Shire Development - South Gippsland Shire Council
Mr Ken Thomas, General Manager, Murray Goulburn; and Mr Graeme Wilson, Windy Ridge Winery - Prom Country Advisory Board
Mr Trevor Rickard, Korumburra Business Association

DECEMBER

December 3 2001

Mr R. Spence, Chief Executive Officer; and Mr T. Koops, Senior Economist, Municipal Association of Victoria

December 12 2001

Mr D. deVrieze, Manager, Regional Equity Market, Bendigo Bank
Dr G. Byrne, School of Business and Technology; and Mr I. Pinge, Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, La Trobe University, Bendigo
Ms B. Brooks, Central Victoria Area Consultative Committee
Cr S. McLean; Cr J. Corrie;Mr M. Amirtharajah, Acting Chief Executive Officer; and Mr G. Harris, Manager, Economic Development, Shire of Buloke

Submissions Received

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List of Submissions Received

Submission Number	Name of Individual/Organisation	Date Received
1.	Mr Keith Lovell Chief Executive Officer Latrobe Valley Supported Employment Service Inc.	4 December 2000
2.	Mr Andrew Calder Individual	5 December 2000
3.	Mr Jeff Bothe Executive Officer Community Employment Council	5 January 2001
4.	Hon. Ian Macdonald Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government	17 January 2001
5.	Ms Vicky Davison Manager Economic Development Boroondara City Council	29 January 2001
6.	Mr Barry Rochford General Manager Corporate Delivery Bendigo Bank	30 January 2001
7.	Ms Jennifer A Tod Chief Executive Officer Yarriambiack Shire Council	31 January 2001
8.	Mr Bruce Evans Individual	21 February 2001
9.	Ms Georgina Meadows Retail & Marketing Consultant Georgina Meadows Pty Ltd	13 March 2001
10.	John Costello Chief Executive Officer Indigo Shire Council	12 April 2001
11.	Ms Jill Baird Contract Manager Greater Melbourne Employment and Training Services	14 April 2001
12.	Mr Andrew Paul Chief Executive Officer City of Greater Bendigo	19 April 2001
13.	Mr Michael Kennedy Chief Executive Officer Mornington Peninsula Shire Council	26 April 2001
14.	Mr G Ryan Secretary Australia Post	26 April 2001
15.	Ms Trixy Allot Chairperson Welshpool & District Rural Transaction Centre	26 April 2001
16.	Ms Noelene Duff Chairperson City of Whitehorse	27 April 2001
17.	Mr Graham Shiell Chief Executive Officer Moyne Shire Council	30 April 2001
18.	Mr Neil Jacobs Chief Executive Officer Hindmarsh Shire Council	30 April 2001
19.	Mr Paul Hickey Deputy Chief Executive Officer Centrelink	30 April 2001
20.	Mr Neil Armstrong Chief Executive Officer Local Government Professionals	30 April 2001
21.	Ms Dianne Hawgood Group Manager Regional and Indigenous Employment Support Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business	30 April 2001
22.	Ms Meredith Jones Research Officer Finance Sector Union of Australia	2 May 2001
23.	Mr Kevin Shade Chief Executive Officer Horsham Rural City Council	2 May 2001
24.	Ms Lydia Wilson Chief Executive Officer Macedon Ranges Shire Council	2 May 2001
25.	Phil Pearce Chief Executive Officer Shire of Campaspe	3 May 2001
26.	Mr Colin Jordan Chief Executive Vic Roads	8 May 2001
27.	Ms Mary Lu Amos Executive Officer West Wimmera Shire Council	10 May 2001
28.	Mr David Bell Chief Executive Officer Australian Bankers Association	11 May 2001
29.	Mr Rod Shell Manager Economic Development City of Greater Dandenong	14 May 2001
30.	Mr Malcolm Reid Executive Officer Royal Australian Planning Institute	14 May 2001
31.	Mr David Gazard Head of Government Relations Westpac	18 May 2001
32.	Cr. Jeanette Harding Mayor South Gippsland Shire Council	18 May 2001
33.	Cr. Robert Larocca Mayor Moreland City Council	18 May 2001
34.	Ms Jane Nash Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs ANZ Bank	7 June 2001
35.	Victorian Council of Social Service	12 June 2001
36.	Mr Peter Shergold Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business (submission no. 2)	6 August 2001
37.	Ms Prue Digby Executive Director Department of Infrastructure - Local Government Division	13 August 2001
38.	Mr John McMillan, Deputy Director of Public Transport Mr Ray Kinnear, Director Public Transport Planning Department of Infrastructure - Office of Public Transport	13 August 2001
39.	Ms Prue Digby Executive Director Department of Infrastructure - Local Government Division	23 August 2001
40.	Professor Lyndsay Neilson Secretary Department of Infrastructure	23 August 2001
41.	Mr Phillip Jones Secretary Wimmera-Mallee Rail Service Association	27 August 2001
42.	Mr Philip Sabien Executive Officer Wimmera Development Association	27 August 2001
43.	Mr Tom Curtis Ms Heather Curtis Individuals	28 August 2001
44.	Pyrenees Shire Council	29 August 2001
45.	Ms Kerry Willcock Acting Corporate Secretary Australia Post	5 September 2001
46.	Mr Hugh Delahunty, MP Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs, Consumer Affairs & Aboriginal Affairs Member for Wimmera	10 September 2001
47.	Cr. Marion Riley Councillor Shire of Campaspe	12 September 2001
48.	Mr Bob Holschier Stanhope Chamber of Commerce & Industry	12 September 2001
49.	Ms Jenny Wilson Willaura and District Community Development Group	25 September 2001
50.	Mr John Taylor Acting Secretary Office of the Director of Public Transport	8October 2001
51.	Mr Eric Kinsella State General Manager - Victoria/Tasmania Commonwealth Bank	11 October 2001
52.	Ms Jane Nash Head of Government & Regulatory Affairs ANZ Bank	19 October 2001
53.	Ms Prue Digby Executive Director Department of Infrastructure - Local Government Division	31 October 2001
54.	Mr Terry Millett Head of Regional Delivery Direct Retailing and Distribution National Australia Bank	1 November 2001
55.	Mr Peter Haney Individual	29 August 2001
56.	Ms Erica Manh Kaniva and District and Action Association Inc.	12 November 2001
57.	Mr Graeme Ludbrook Acting General Manager - Employment Division Department of Education, Employment and Training	27 November 2001
58.	Mr Mark Genovese General Manager - Financial Services & Sales Credit Union Services Corporation	27 November 2001
59.	Mr Rob Spence Chief Executive Officer Municipal Association of Victoria	4 January 2001
60.	Mr James Tuckerman Senior Corporate Affairs Officer Telstra	8 January 2001