The Nationals WA Member for Moore Shane Love MLA has slammed federal treasurer Scott Morrison for his plans to steal $339 million of infrastructure funding from the Mid West.
Mr Love questioned why the $339 million allocation of funding, initially flagged for the development of the Oakajee Port, could not be reinvested into other priority projects in the Mid West.
“The funding would give a much needed stimulus to the region’s economy and many flow on social benefits for the region,” Mr Love said.
“How dare the Treasurer come to our State and announce he will be stealing back funding flagged for the Mid West at a time when WA is already grappling with our paltry GST share.
“The Treasurer is completely out of touch with the situation WA is facing because he, and his federal colleagues, are busy looking east towards NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
“Apparently federal funding is ‘not a beer tab’ unless you live on the east coast.”
The Nationals Member for the Agricultural Region Hon Colin de Grussa MLC challenged federal Member for Durack Melissa Price to take up the fight on behalf of communities and businesses in the Mid West.
“Melissa Price has a responsibility to stand toe-to-toe with the Prime Minister and Treasurer to ensure the Oakajee funding is not rolled back to fund projects on the east coast,” Mr de Grussa said.
“Talk is cheap and Ms Price must hold firm on this important issue not pander to the eastern-centric agenda put forward by the federal government.”
Member for the Agricultural Region Hon Martin Aldridge MLC said there were a number of road freight priority projects in the Mid West, including heavy vehicle bottlenecks in Northampton and Geraldton and a partial development of the Oakajee Narngulu Infrastructure Corridor that would benefit from the funding.
