One-off Labor Funding Not Enough: Sophie

30-January-2009

Federal Member for Indi Sophie Mirabella has welcomed the announcement of the Federal Government’s $384,000 for the Towong Shire 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 of $400,000 to the Towong Shire for the Corryong Medical Centre Reconstruction as a prime example.

“This single project of over $400,000 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 Towong Shire, they’d have continued to fund the great work of the Regional Partnerships Program which they ditched upon coming to Government.”

Mrs Mirabella also singled out Regional Partnerships Grants from the former Government of $160,000 for the Corryong Innovation Space and $189,770 for the Corryong Seed Processing Plant Expansion as prime examples of the benefit the Howard Government’s program provided to the local community which puts Mr Rudd’s announcement to shame.

“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 and that can be seen from these local projects.

“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.