The Nationals WA have accused the Federal Labor Government of short-changing Western Australia and
demanded the immediate reinstatement of the 80/20 funding split for major projects.
Leader Shane Love MLA said WA was being unfairly treated by the Federal Labor Government, with a total of
$2.6 billion in projects being delayed or cancelled since 2022.
“East-Coast Albanese has slashed, delayed or cancelled critical WA projects while pouring $7.2 billion into a
single road project in Queensland. It’s clear that WA is being treated as an afterthought.
“Funding for the Bruce Highway, at a generous 80/20 split, with a Liberal-National Queensland Government
shows Albanese is taking the WA Labor Government for granted.
Mr Love called on the Federal Government to immediately restore the 80/20 funding split for major projects
and criticised Premier Roger Cook for failing to stand up for WA.
“The Federal Government must immediately restore the 80/20 funding split for major projects and give WA the
fair share it deserves,” he said.
“When the Commonwealth abandoned the 80/20 funding split back in 2023, the Cook Labor Government rolled
over without a fight. Only now, as both State and Federal elections loom, is the Premier pretending to push for
a better deal.”
Federal candidate for Bullwinkel, Mia Davies MP, echoed the criticism, pointing to WA’s significantly reduced
funding under Labor.
“Over the next five years, WA will receive less Federal road funding than any other mainland state, despite
having the largest road network in the country,” Ms Davies said.
“This is a raw deal for WA, which contributes more than its fair share to the nation’s economy but continues to
be treated as an afterthought by the Albanese Labor Government.”
Legislative Council candidate Julie Freeman highlighted the impact of these funding cuts on critical projects.
“Regional roads are the lifeblood of WA’s freight network and economy, yet projects like the Bindoon Bypass,
the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation, and the Manuwarra Red Dog Highway have been delayed due to
Federal Labor’s neglect,” Ms Freeman said.
“The Cook Labor Government refused to demand a fair share from Canberra, leaving WA’s regions at a
disadvantage.”
Mr Love said the only way to ensure WA gets its fair share of Federal funding is to vote Labor out at both the
State and Federal elections this year.
“WA deserves a State Government that fights for its fair share, not one that rolls over and accepts the scraps
from Canberra,” Mr Love said.
