Regional Development Trust chair to step down

• Andrew Murray to step down after four years with Regional Development Trust

• Trust provides independent advice to Royalties for Regions program

 The inaugural chairman of the Western Australian Regional Development Trust, Andrew Murray, will step down after almost four years in the role.

Mr Murray, a former WA senator, was appointed in early 2013 as a commissioner on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and cited the increased workload as a factor in his resignation.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said Mr Murray had made a valuable contribution to the trust during his time as chairman.

"His involvement in the Royalties for Regions program and his personal contribution to the development of regional WA has been outstanding," Mr Redman said.

"Mr Murray's insight, experience and knowledge will be missed."

Mr Murray has been chairman of the trust since it was established in July 2010 and will remain in the position until a suitable replacement has been appointed.

"I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated my work at the trust and it has been a privilege to help deliver the Royalties for Regions program," Mr Murray said. 

"Royalties for Regions is an excellent and transformative development program to the State."

The Western Australian Regional Development Trust is an independent statutory body established under the Royalties for Regions Act (2009) and provides advice on the Royalties for Regions Fund.

         Fact File

• Western Australian Regional Development Trust plays an important role in providing independent and impartial advice on the allocation of the Royalties for Regions Fund

• Since it began in 2008, Royalties for Regions has allocated $4.2billion to more than 3,500 projects across regional WA

Minister's office - 6552 6700