My attention has been drawn to the fact that the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education and Training recently invited tenders for participation in the Landcare and Environment Action Program (LEAP) for the next three years.

It is essential that a co-ordinated approach be adopted in relation to such Commonwealth initiatives. I have asked our colleague the Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment, the Hon K A Chikarovksi, to accept responsibility for this co-ordination. (In effect, this is a continuation of co-ordination arrangements put in place by Ministerial Memorandum 1992-21.)

Accordingly, all further contact with the Commonwealth regarding the LEAP Program should be through Mrs Chikarovski's office or her LEAP Co-ordination Unit. At officer level, it would be appropriate for agencies to consult Michael Fleming, LEAP Manager, Department of Industrial Relations and Employment on telephone (02) 266 8776.

I might add that agencies should be reminded that the Commonwealth is only providing funding for the next three years and Treasury will need to be consulted before embarking on any activity which could have additional resource implications for the State.

John Fahey
Premier