Senator slams Fed’s funding, King calls it ‘nonsense’

SHADOW Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie, has accused the Federal Government of poorly handling funding for promised regional grants and projects.

Citing delays in delivering grant programs established last year and cutting funding for the Western Freeway as examples, Ms McKenzie said the Government’s approach to regional funding is costing communities.

At the old Ballarat Showgrounds in Wendouree last Saturday, Ms McKenzie said the new showgrounds in Mount Rowan are prime example of the impact Government handling of regional funding could have on Ballarat.

“We’ve got the Building Better Regions fund round six scrapped which was actually going to fund the redevelopment of the new site of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society,” she said.

“The cuts and delays that have typified this Albanese Government since they’ve come to power are hitting regions hard.

“By halting the funding flow and being slow on decisions or cutting the programs altogether, it’s really impacting the rollout of significant projects.”

Yet Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, hit back at the claims, saying “Bridget McKenzie should stop spouting nonsense.”

“As she well knows, the Coalition Government rushed to an election without making any decisions on the final round of the Building Better Regions Fund grant program,” she said.

“No applications had been chosen, and no money had been allocated.

“Bridget McKenzie can pretend all she likes, but the truth is they were in power for nine long years and delivered nothing for us.

“Her time in Ballarat would have better been spent apologising to the local footy, netball and bowls clubs she ignored during Sports Rorts.

“The Albanese Government is delivering new regional programs that will be more equitable, and will have a proper process that people in regional Australia can have faith in.”