The Allan Labor Government has come under fire for a blatant cash grab, with revelations it siphoned off nine per cent of a $2 million federal blackspot grant intended for a state and local council road intersection project.
Despite refusing to contribute any state funding or take responsibility for managing the project in Mansfield Shire, the Allan Labor Government took a significant chunk of the federal money under the guise of “internal departmental costs.”
This sum exceeds the total cost of managing the project, according to Mansfield Shire, and highlights the Allan Government’s financial desperation.
Kirsten Alexander, CEO of Mansfield Shire, told a parliamentary inquiry: “It was a big blow. That nine per cent was essentially the project management costs. It was a surprise and not a welcome one”.
Ms Alexander questioned the cash grab given the Allan Labor Government was not running the project or contributing to it financially.
“I don’t think that’s value for money,” Ms Alexander said.
The intersection in question is an intersection on the Mansfield-Whitfield Road a noted “blackspot” and the scene of several serious accidents.
The nine per cent take by the Allan Labor Government equates to $176,000.
“For a small town like Mansfield, that’s a lot of money,” Ms Alexander told the inquiry.
Shadow Minister for Local Government, Peter Walsh, said it was an insult to the Mansfield community.
“The Allan Labor Government, who wouldn’t contribute at all, took money out for doing virtually nothing,” Mr Walsh said.
“Labor can’t manage money and communities like Mansfield are paying the price.”
