An independent review recommended that the Australian Government cease the Regional Development Australia Program. Instead, the Australian Government will refocus the RDA Program so that RDA Committees move beyond their previous planning role and into a more active and facilitative role, effectively being brokers for regional investment.

Regional adaptation and development could be improved by better harnessing regional universities through the formal recognition of the institutions in regional development policy, including in place-based policy and programs, such as in the UK’s City Deals or European Smart Specialisations.

RAI's submission supports the development and implementation of a long term decentralisation policy for the Australian Government.

A review of the Regional Development Australia program recommends that the program cease operation and be replaced by a new Australian Regional Business Advisory Board, a network of Directors of Regional Development, a Regional Collaboration Fund and a Regional Investment Commissioner.

Decentralisation continues to be well received as a strategy for improving the governance of countries and delivering more responsive and efficient services. Cheerleaders include multilateral agencies like the World Bank and developed countries, like England, which seek to reverse years of centralisation. Evaluating the effectiveness of decentralised models raises the question of what it means...