SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
THE HON MICHELLE LANDRY MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CAPRICORNIA
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR MANUFACTURING
Capricornia is missing out on accessing regional funding as the Albanese Government fails to deliver promised regional grants programs.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie said local government representatives and community organisations are sick and tired of being left waiting in limbo by this Government.
“After 10 months in government and 5 months since their budget, no guidelines or timelines have been released for Labor’s Growing Regions Program and Precincts and Partnerships Program.
“Not only have Labor failed to launch these programs and deliver on their promises regional Australians they seem incompetent at rolling out regional grants programs which were locked and loaded before they came into Government, ready to be allocated shortly after the Minister took up her new office.
Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, said project delivery costs are rising so local communities cannot afford to wait indefinitely while Labor works out how it wants to deliver on their promises to the region.
“Our local governments need to plan and set their budgets and capital works programs and need certainty as to when funding programs will be available.
“It is past time the Albanese Government got its act together and released funding guidelines and timelines for the Growing Regions Program and Precincts and Partnerships Program so councils and not-for-profit community groups can start planning to deliver outcomes for the local community who are in need.
“Projects, like the Yeppoon Aquatic Centre Redevelopment or the Nebo Showgrounds upgrades promised at the 2022 election which would be able to apply for funding if program were approved. Instead, projects that benefit the community are left in limbo while this Labor Government withhold funding that would benefit the people of Capricornia,” Ms Landry said.
“Labor must stop the cuts and delays to regional and local funding programs, release program guidelines and start trusting communities enough to work in partnership with them to create opportunities for everyone,” Senator McKenzie said.
