Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry has slammed Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s National Press Club address that outlined Labor’s plan to rip hundreds of millions of dollars from regional Australia.
“Labor has said they will cut $350 million from the Community Development Grants Programme and $400 million from the Regionalisation Fund,” Ms Landry said.
“The Community Development Grants Programme has funded a number of critical infrastructure projects across Capricornia.
“In the 2022-23 Budget, this includes the Yeppoon Aquatic Centre ($13 million), construction of Yeppoon Foreshore Convention Centre ($20 million), Fitzroy Community Hospice ($8 million), Rockhampton Stadium in Victoria Park ($23 million), Rockhampton Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Facility project ($25 million) and Removal and Rebuild of Collinsville Queensland Country Women’s Association ($100,000).
“2022 funding commitments including the Nebo Showgrounds Upgrade ($2.8 million), CQ Motor Sporting Complex ($10 million), West Tigers Sporting Complex ($3.86 million) and Rockhampton Airport Upgrade ($10 million) are all also part of the Community Development Grants Programme.
“His plan to cut funding to regional community groups and sporting clubs includes many right here in Capricornia – valuable organisations run by hardworking volunteers who are the very fabric of our communities.
“Mr Albanese has already made more than $800 million of promises for local projects without saying how he’ll pay for them – this creates another hole in their budget as the funding he’s claiming to save has already been spent and exceeded.
“Labor will either have to break their promises or put a hole in the Budget somewhere else.
“He is showing Labor’s flawed priorities by cutting $400m from regional jobs growth to spend $500 million on extra public servants in Canberra.”
“It is clear that Labor’s plan will strip money out of our regions and cut jobs from traditional industries.
“Under Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party, regional Australia will go backwards.”
