The Nationals WA call for Federal Royalties for Regions plan, Grylls
Author: Brendon Grylls
Published on: 27-March-2010
The Nationals WA have called on the Federal Government to back Royalties for Regions by providing matched funding.
In an address at The Nationals WA Annual State Conference, Leader Brendon Grylls urged Federal Nationals representatives to commit to a policy based on dollar-for-dollar investment in Royalties for Regions.
“The WA Nationals Federal election campaign is unashamedly based around a demand for greater share of funding from the Commonwealth,” Mr Grylls said.
“By the end of this financial year the Royalties for Regions program will have delivered more than $700 million in new community projects to regional WA.
“We have seen the significant impact Royalties for Regions is having in regional WA and we want to use this funding to leverage our fair share from current and future Federal Governments – asking them to partner with us on Royalties for Regions to double the pool of funding available.”
Mr Grylls called on The Nationals’ Federal Representatives to convince their Coalition partners that a State-Commonwealth Agreement will be core Opposition policy for the upcoming election.
“I want them to tell West Australians that our Royalties for Regions pool will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Coalition if it wins government,” Mr Grylls said.
“Our WA candidates have a clear Federal election agenda and they will want to see candidates and sitting members from all parties outline their position on this issue.
“West Australian seats will be vital in the election and we have an opportunity to secure a policy that ensures partnership funding for generations to come.”
President of The Nationals WA Colin Holt supported this initiative in his address to Conference, saying it was time regional WA had strong representation in Canberra to ensure we get our fair share.
The Nationals WA will launch a “Reverse the Rip-off” discussion paper in the coming weeks, recommending Royalties for Regions Funds to be matched under a new State / Federal partnership.
This funding should be over and above current and budgeted Commonwealth expenditure in WA and should not impact on the allocation of funding through the Grants Commission formula.
Royalties for Regions is an historic agreement that ensures the equivalent of 25 per cent of the State’s mining and onshore petroleum royalties will be returned to regional areas each year as an additional investment in projects, infrastructure and community services.
