The Allan Labor Government has dodged questions in Parliament on a day where fresh revelations confirm regional Victorians are being short-changed.
Labor is slashing regional development and jobs spending by almost 80 per cent – from more than $1 billion annually to approximately $250 million.
It comes amid data revealing regional Victorians are paying 21 per cent more for water, 30 per cent more for electricity and 50 per cent more in property rates compared to city residents – as Labor scrambles rein in their exploding debt.
The Minister for Regional Development, Gayle Tierney, today refused to answer direct questions on the continual snubbing of regional Victorians.
Ms Tierney deflected with spin when asked in Parliament why the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, designed to support and grow regional communities, closed in August, 2022.
When probed on the alarming statistic that regional Victoria receives only 13 per cent of infrastructure spending despite being home 25 per cent of the state’s population, Ms Tierney again turned to spin.
Ms Tierney claimed 28 per cent of total funding went to the regional areas – in direct conflict with the latest independent Parliamentary Budget Office report which confirms regional Victorians are only receiving 13 per cent of Victoria’s funding.
Leader of The Nationals, Peter Walsh, slammed Labor’s cuts and its lack of accountability.
“Regional Victorians have been snubbed again,” Mr Walsh said.
“The regions are being ignored by the Allan Labor Government, and the numbers prove it — $9264 per person in the regions versus $23,625 in Melbourne.
“Ten years ago, we had $1 billion in the Regional Growth Fund. Now, there’s nothing.
“Labor can’t manage money and regional Victorians are paying the price.”