Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott says he is flabbergasted by the Labor Government’s “sheer neglect” of regional Australia during last night’s Budget.
“At the moment we – the taxpayers – are paying about $22 million per day of interest. That’s $22 million, every day, merely servicing debt and not going towards something meaningful in the Maranoa,” Mr Scott said.
“A meaningful project like the levee bank in Roma because two days of servicing Labor’s debt could fully fund the levee bank which would protect homes and businesses from a future flood.
“Imagine what $22 million could do for the Kingaroy Hospital, where a new emergency centre is desperately needed?
“There’d be money leftover if $22 million was used to build a new wild dog barrier fence to protect farming livelihoods in western Queensland around the Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall and part of the Barcoo council areas and in the Murweh Shire Council region.
“The Landsborough Highway upgrade between Blackall and Winton has been costed at $110 million, so five days of interest repayments could have funded that project.
“Near Warwick, in the south of my electorate, three days of interest repayments could have paid for the Cunningham’s Gap restoration works.”
Mr Scott said the Treasurer’s sixth Federal Budget offered nothing for regional Australia and illustrated Labor’s disinterest in the Maranoa which plays an integral part in feeding and clothing the nation.
“Two billion dollars was slashed from the dedicated Regional Infrastructure Fund, which Labor said would help redress the imbalance between city and the bush,” Mr Scott said.
Mr Scott said last night’s Budget also took funding away from Queensland infrastructure spending.
“This failed Federal Labor Government has spent all its money and is now trying to dip into Queensland’s GST receipts, demanding 50-50 funding splits for roads that are federal responsibilities,” he said.
“$635 million is needed to repair the Warrego Highway between Toowoomba and Miles and only $317.5 million was mentioned in the Budget.
“Labor has turned its back on regional families, businesses and communities and only a change of government in Canberra will put the nation back on track.”
