Country Local Government Fund criticisms embarrass opposition, Holt
Author: Colin Holt
Published on: 24-September-2010
The Nationals Members for the Agricultural Region, Hon Max Trenorden MLC, Hon Philip Gardiner MLC and Hon Mia Davies MLC yesterday spoke about the benefits the Country Local Government Fund is delivering to regional WA, stamping out claims from the opposition that this fund should be scrapped.
Ms Davies said Labor MPs should be embarrassed by their criticisms and plans to scrap the Country Local Government Fund.
“Labor’s Ben Wyatt has publicly stated that a Labor Government would abolish the Country Local Government Fund, and other MPs did not deny this,” Ms Davies said.
“That is $400 million of vital investment our regional communities would miss out on under a Labor Government.
Mr Trenorden said the Country Local Government Fund is a key plank of Royalties for Regions – delivering funding straight to the local communities who understand the priorities for their region.
“This Fund not only promotes regional decision making, but also acts to address the $1.5 billion infrastructure backlog that was identified by WALGA’s systemic sustainability study.
“It’s fortunate very few Labor MPs ever venture out to regional WA, or they would be faced with the wrath of people who see the value of this program every day.”
Mr Gardiner said the Country Local Government Fund allocations are determined on the basis of population and needs.
“There are more Local Governments in the Wheatbelt, so it’s not surprising when you add up the quantum spent that the Wheatbelt comes out at the top of the list.
“Interestingly, each of the Local Governments in the Wheatbelt on average receives less than Local Governments in other areas.
“There are many ways to divide and look at the Royalties for Regions funding, conveniently the opposition has not bothered to look at the totals for each region – these figures tell quite a different story,” Mr Gardiner said.
Ms Davies said the Labor Party should come clean to regional councilors and say that under a Labor Government the Country Local Government Fund would be scrapped and Local Governments would be forced to amalgamate.
“I guess it’s no surprise, given the pending leadership challenge and disarray of the Labor Party, that they’re trying to create distraction.”
