The Enterprise Zones report presents options for Regional Development

Keating, at least, started an ambitious plan, providing key support for regional policy by establishing Regional Development Organisations – one of which was established in the Illawarra.

"Enterprise Zones’ 112-page report along with 15 key recommendations puts the regional development policy debate back on track and, crucially, into new ways of thinking. Regions need government intervention and involvement.

Just as John Howard used the very successful ‘five minutes of economic sunshine’ against Labor in the 1996 election, his Government is now looking at the very same storm clouds.

It is about to rain and it will be heavy unless regional disparity is addressed.

Australians have to address a simple fact honestly: this country does not create enough jobs. Creating them will not take place by arguing about inaccurate and unbelievable ABS unemployment statistics. We face two choices: either create new ones or take people out of the labour market on mass.

My choice is the first and to create jobs where the people are. To do otherwise, like suggesting the unemployed should move to areas where the jobs are, is absurd.

Australia must reconsider its barren policy on intervention, primarily in its regions. Why we so stridently and stubbornly remain wedded to market means when no other country in the OECD does or would is a question so frustratingly unanswered.

Regional development policy in the US, Europe, Asia and even New Zealand (for God’s Sake!) is so much more sophisticated and practical than Australian governments would dare dream.

In the State of the Region Report 1999, the Illawarra’s performance and policies were assessed against 57 other regions. It was not a good report. Just over a year later, has much changed? We still have moderate labour usage, high debt and moderate wealth. We still have moderate infrastructure and low levels of industry output.

It is a distinction this region shares with others like the Midlands and Central Western Australia, the Golden Region of Victoria, the Murray/Murrumbidgee region and the Mallee/Wimmera Region of Victoria.

We cannot ignore regional disparity anymore. The Illawarra, as it has in the past, comes to grips with challenges and opportunities.

"Enterprise Zones’ is a report about these things, should be welcomed and actively supported by all interested people in the long debate about regional development policy.