Regional funding at risk under Labor
Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox will host Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie in the Mackay region this week.
Senator McKenzie and Mr Willcox will highlight several projects that were ear-marked for funding in the Dawson electorate that are now at risk in Labor’s upcoming Federal Budget.
Key projects facing an uncertain future include a swathe of community and major infrastructure projects that will underpin the future economy of the Dawson electorate, according to the Shadow Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie.
“We are very concerned about the Government’s silence on regional funding in the lead-up to the Budget,” Senator McKenzie said.
“And if they do mention regional funding the Labor Party talks about eliminating waste.”
“We reject that claim. Roads, bridges, community infrastructure investments underpin the economic and social well-being of regional Australia and any move to slash these projects will undermine that.”
Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox said that Labor has already pledged to scrap some Building Better Regions Fund projects, cut $350 million from the Community Development Grants Programme and $400 million from the Regionalisation Fund.
“Labor’s plan to cut funding to regional community groups and sporting clubs includes many right here in Dawson– valuable organisations run by hardworking volunteers who are the very fabric of our communities,” Mr Willcox said.
“I’m calling on the Labor Government to honour funding commitments for Dawson including $483 million towards building the Urannah Dam, $200,000 for a clubhouse upgrade to Mackay Hockey, $5 million towards Veteran Wellbeing Centres in the Mackay region, $50,000 to Proserpine State School, $1 million towards stage 2 of the Lake Proserpine Recreation Facility, $9 million towards Disaster Resilience and flood protection and $420,000 towards VMR Whitsunday.
“Labor must NOT cut funding to rural and regional areas like Dawson, I urge the Labor Government to show up for the regions and include us in their October Budget.”