Labor must acknowledge and thanks Locals

12-March-2009

Federal Liberal Member for Indi, Mrs Sophie Mirabella MP has spoken in Parliament commending the effort of local Area Consultative Committees and criticised the Labor Government over their decision to close down ACCs. These bodies administered the Howard Government’s Regional partnerships Program which delivered around $6 million to the North East.

“The Rudd Government’s decision to sit down the network of regional development agencies by June this year will have major consequences,” Mrs Mirabella said in her speech last night,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“It is appalling that Labor Government’s at a State and Federal level have such a disregard for country areas and local decision making. Mr Rudd is removing the formal ties that connect Canberra and the country.”

“This comes on top of the abolition of the Regional Partnerships Program 16 months ago that targeted funding for rural and regional areas. This not been replaced since Labor cut it,” Mrs Mirabella said.

Mrs Mirabella called on the Rudd Government to have some sort of event to acknowledge those who have worked as staff and those who have worked as volunteers.

“I also call on the Government to ensure the ACC paid staff are included on the new Regional Development Australia (RDA) Board,” Mrs Mirabella also said.

“It’s a bit rich having a go at private corporations who are sacking staff when Federal Labor is casting aside experienced locals with a passion for local services and infrastructure.”

“Local volunteers who sit on the ACC have been rudely cast aside by the Labor Party. Local men and women who have given so much of their time and effort to regional development in the North East have been pushed aside with no thanks or recognition,” Mrs Mirabella said.

In her speech to the parliament Mrs Mirabella singled out the enormous efforts of paid and volunteer staff: Eric Lund (Chairman North East Victoria Area Consultative Committee), Shane O’Brien (VVACC), Joan Ross (NVACC), Bert Eastoe (Chairman Albury Wodonga Area Consultative Committee) and Ray Hortle (AWACC) as well as all the committee members who have voluntarily served on both of the consultative committees.

“Our communities have been enriched, and we have services and facilities that would not to be there without successful funding applications prepared and supported by local ACCs. I want to put that on the record and I call on the government to follow my lead.”