RDA funding welcomed – but regional WA still underdone, Crook

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 07-September-2011

Nationals WA Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook has welcomed the first round of funding announcements from the Regional Development Australia Fund.

More than $32 million will be invested in four projects across Western Australia from the first round of the Federal Government’s RDA Fund.

Successful projects in WA included $7.4 million for the Katanning Saleyards; $15 million for the Karratha Leisure Complex; $4.9 million for the Kimberley Land Council and $5.5 million for the Baldivis Library and Community Centre.

Mr Crook said the Katanning Saleyards project is a key project for O’Connor.

“The Nationals WA have strongly supported the Katanning Saleyards project, contributing $17 million toward the project at a State level late last year, so I am very pleased to see a Federal contribution towards this project.

“The livestock industry is a key part of regional WA’s economy, and saleyards are an important trading hub of this industry.”

Mr Crook said the funding would go towards relocating and constructing a new, state-of-the-art sheep saleyards to support occupational health and safety regulations; environmental legislation and improved animal welfare conditions.

Mr Crook said he welcomed the initial round of funding; however a far greater investment was required.

“These projects - especially the three projects located in regional WA – are clearly worthwhile projects and I acknowledge the work of the RDA committees in regional WA for making sure these projects are supported,” Mr Crook said.

“The fact remains than $32 million spread across all of WA, including the metropolitan area, is a very small commitment from the Federal Government.”

Mr Crook said he was disappointed to see RDA funding invested in metropolitan areas.

“Across Australia, more than $20 million out of the $150 million allocated to the RDA fund was distributed to metropolitan projects.

“I find it very poor form that the Federal Government continues to contribute millions of dollars to city projects under the guise of regional funding.”

Mr Crook said metropolitan areas had access to greater resources than regional areas and should not be eligible for the RDA funding.

Mr Crook said the Federal Government needed to contribute more to regional WA.

“If the Federal Government supports my motion to place a 75 per cent floor on GST relativities, we could see $4 billion delivered into WA over two years.

“Reversing the GST Rip-Off would have a far great benefit to our State.”

Further information on WA’s GST rip-off can be found online at www.tonycrook.com.au.

See this article on the member's website