Ministerial Responsibilities within the Treasury Portfolio

The Minister was appointed to his role in April 2010, to help guide the development of policies to meet Australia's future population needs. The Minister's first task will be to develop Australia's first Sustainable Population Strategy.

The strategy will consider the social and economic infrastructure Australia will need to support a growing population, including the roads, housing and service delivery network.

It will also consider, as an early priority, the opportunities a growing population will create for economic growth and to further develop and grow Australia's regional towns and communities. The policy will bring a whole-of-government perspective drawing on input from all portfolios.

The strategy will also seek to address the challenges associated with population growth, including the impact on the environment, water, and urban congestion.