'Reckless' Promises Left Unfunded

October 16, 2013

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss said today he was “examining projects” announced by the previous Labor Government through its Regional Development Australia Fund, but did not feel committed “to the promises made by our opponents”.

This is not good news for the proponents of the Murgon to Kingaroy rail trail project, funding for which was announced under the RDA Fund in the dying days of the former government.

Speaking at the Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) Conference in Coffs Harbour, Mr Truss said the funding for Labor’s RDA Fund was to come from the mining tax.

“But as you know the mining tax has raised very little money and we are committed to abolishing this tax on regional Australia. The projects are therefore unfunded,” Mr Truss said.

“The new Coalition Government will, of course, honour all signed contracts which amount to some $425 million. However, any non-contracted announcements made by Labor fall into the remit of election promises.

“We will honour all of our own election promises but we do not feel committed to the promises made by our opponents.

“Labor recklessly announced RDA projects all over the country in the lead-up to and during the Federal Election, in the full knowledge that they would never deliver them.

“Almost 1000 projects were added to the RDA list in the last couple of months of the former government – most without having gone through any assessment process, none contracted and hundreds not ever even announced.

“It is a disappointment that so many people across the country had their genuine hopes built up only to be dashed by what was a Labor con.

“I know that most of the projects were worthy and some will have to be funded some way and I am looking at what may be available for the future.

“Unlike the previous government’s phantom funding based on a flawed and failed mining tax, our $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund is fully funded and accounted for as part of the Budget.

“The National Stronger Regions Fund will support jobs and help build the social and community infrastructure so important to modern life, including community facilities and local services.

“The funding is guaranteed and as the national economy improves, we expect more funds will be allocated to and leveraged from the National Stronger Regions Fund.

“The government recognises that local councils and community groups are the foundations of regional areas and we intend to work closely with these groups through the National Stronger Regions Fund to create dynamic, stable, secure and viable communities across Australia.”

Mr Truss said the Federal Government would help regional Australia to seize opportunities to strengthen local economies.

“We will be putting regional Australia at the heart of this Government’s decision-making by considering the economic, environmental and social impacts of policy decisions on regional areas,” he said.