The Nationals WA call on PM and Opposition Leader to reverse the rip-off, McCourt
Author: John McCourt
Published on: 01-May-2010
The Nationals’ Senate candidate for WA John McCourt has called on the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to reverse the rip-off by guaranteeing to match WA’s Royalties for Regions funding dollar-for-dollar.
Mr McCourt says the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader must, in the lead up to the Federal Election, commit to a proposal by The Nationals WA that the Royalties for Regions fund should be matched.
A discussion paper released by The Nationals at the North West Expo today outlines a plan to get WA’s fair share through a new State / Federal partnership.
“Federal Governments have been taking advantage of regional WA’s massive natural resource assets for decades, but they have not understood the need to return enough funding to develop vital infrastructure,” Mr McCourt said.
“On top of this is the need for all people living in regional WA to enjoy the same services available to people living on the other side of the continent.”
“All West Australians should see the current rip-off for what it is. WA – like other States – has a responsibility to contribute to the nation’s wealth, but we shouldn’t be seen as a cash cow for hungry pastures in the east.”
The Nationals’ candidate for the seat of Durack, Lynne Craigie said the Federal Government has a responsibility to maintain and development infrastructure in those regions that support the rest of the nation.
“The Nationals have delivered on a State level, now we need a commitment from our Federal representatives to reverse the rip-off and get WA’s fair share,” Ms Craigie said.
The WA Nationals’ propose that matching 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.
