One off Labor Funding Not Enough: Sophie

28-January-2009

Federal Member for Indi Sophie Mirabella has welcomed the announcement of the Federal Government’s $620,000 in funding for the Rural City of Wangaratta but has highlighted that the former Howard Government’s Regional Partnerships Program that was axed by Labor generated more than $6 million for the local community.

“The former Coalition Government invested millions of dollars locally through the Regional Partnerships program. It was a very sad day for the North-East when Labor shamefully abolished this very successful program,” Mrs Mirabella said.

Mrs Mirabella singled out a Regional Partnerships Grant to the Rural City of Wangaratta of $742,500.00 for the vital and urgent replacement of the sports pavilion at the HP Barr Reserve as a prime example.

“This single project of over $700,000.00 committed from the former Government leaves Kevin Rudd looking a little red-faced,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Whilst any funding for our local area is welcome, and I will certainly fight for every cent for local projects and infrastructure, it is worth noting that Mr Rudd’s one-off funding doesn’t compare to continuous local funding programs which we had from the former Government,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“If Labor were so concerned about the Rural City, they’d commit to the Howard Government funding of $85,474.00 to ensure water supply and fire safety security for Peechelba which they ditched upon coming to Government.”

Mrs Mirabella also singled out a Regional Partnerships Grant from the former Government of $500,000.00 in 2007 for the Wangaratta Community Resource and Learning Centre as a prime example of the benefit the Howard Government’s program provided to the local community.

“When in Opposition the Labor Party criticised the Regional Partnerships Program labelling it “a scandal” despite the program providing enormous and obvious benefit to our local community.

“Whilst I congratulate the local organisations who will benefit from the Federal Government’s announcement, I urge the Labor Government to put commonsense ahead of party politics and provide an alternative program to the Regional Partnerships Program to ensure rural and regional Australia are not left behind under their watch,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.