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Darren Chester criticises Albanese government's failure to fund Gippsland roads and community infrastructure

Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has criticised the Albanese government's failure to invest in regional infrastructure, highlighting funding disparities and calling for fairer road project support in Victoria ahead of the federal election.

By news@gippsland - 3rd February 2025 - Back to News

Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the return of Federal Parliament this week will be an opportunity to highlight the Albanese government's failure to invest in local roads and community infrastructure projects. Mr Chester said he would use the return of parliamentary sittings to reinforce the need for greater investment in regional areas like Gippsland after three years of neglect.

Darren Chester fights for fair infrastructure funding, condemning Canberra's cuts to Victoria while offering better deals to other states and territories

Victoria funding shortfall

Mr Chester said, "Sadly, the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Catherine King has been a complete failure in terms of actually delivering projects and a funding pipeline for Gippsland and Latrobe Valley. For example, the long-delayed Growing Regions Program has been a debacle with Victoria ripped off in the most recent round of grants, and we're not getting our fair share."

"Despite 25% of Australia's population residing in our state, Minister King only managed to secure 7% of the total funding for a paltry eight projects in her home state of Victoria. That's right, Victoria received just $25 million out of the $369 million funding pool in round two of the Growing Regions Program as Labor focused its attention on regional Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales."

"The disparity between state allocations is impossible to understand with Queensland set to receive $159.6 million for 25 projects, Western Australian communities will share $89.2 million for 13 projects, and New South Wales picks up $79.1 million for 16 approved projects," he said.

Fair road funding

Mr Chester said he would also be fighting for a fair share of road funding after the completion of the Princes Highway duplication project between Traralgon and Sale. "All of the funding for major roadworks in our region was allocated by the previous government, and we need new commitments for things like the Sale alternate route, designing the Traralgon by-pass and upgrades to the Princes Highway and major arterial roads."

"But again, we've been let down by Minister King, who has changed the funding formula to disadvantage Victorian regional areas. Under the Coalition government, major projects like the Traralgon to Sale duplication received 80% of the money from the Federal government, with the state government required to contribute 20%," he said.

Fighting for fair funding

Mr Chester added, "Now the Albanese government is requiring a 50-50 funding split in Victoria, it will make it impossible to encourage Melbourne-focused State Ministers to consider major regional projects."

"But the problem is made worse by the hypocrisy of the Prime Minister and his Transport Minister Catherine King, who have agreed to still fund projects like the Bruce Highway in Queensland on an 80-20 basis," he said.

Mr Chester said he also expected a strong focus in Parliament on the divisions caused by anti-Semitic behaviour, the increased cost of living and access to health services. "I will be putting forward positive plans to get Australia back on track in the lead-up to the next federal election, which is expected to be held in the next 100 days," he concluded.

Pictures from Darren Chester Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com