Policies for the future of regional Australia1

Abstract

…the rift between country and city is wider than at any time in the last 150 years. The rift is so wide that the return of rural and outback prosperity – if by chance it does return – will not quickly narrow the gap. For country grievances are not simply economic: the grievances are social and cultural. (Blainey, 2001 Blainey G (2001) The Great Divide, Boyer Lectures Program Three, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Transcripts [Google Scholar] ) Recently I was talking to a journalist about country Australia and he asked if I was afraid of One Nation. I replied no, I was not afraid of One Nation, the political entity, but I was afraid of Australia becoming two nations. (Anderson, 1999 Anderson J (1999) One Nation or Two? Securing a Future for Rural and Regional Australia Address to the National Press Club, Canberra, 17 February [Google Scholar] ) The article reviews perceptions of regional problems in Australia and opposing views of regional policy. It argues that regional conditions vary widely and that much of non‐metropolitan Australia is not in decline, casting doubt on the existence of a divide and on arguments that the divide can, and should, be addressed by government. The article also argues that views on policy reflect perceptions of the nature and causes of regional problems, and of the capacity and desirability of government being involved in shaping regional outcomes. Current regional policy approaches, characterized by ‘pragmatic incrementalism’, are outlined and explained.