The Federal Labor Government is preparing to rip off regions under the guise of ‘cleaning up’ Australia’s infrastructure pipeline, Member for Mallee Anne Webster says.

Labor has declared a 90 day review into the $120 billion pipeline, deriding the hundreds of vital projects announced by the former Coalition Government as “fiscal timebombs”.

The 10-year $120 billion infrastructure pipeline was part of the Coalition’s plan to grow Australia’s economy by investing in productivity enhancing infrastructure across capital cities, suburbs and regions.

“Infrastructure Minister Catherine King already cut $9.6 billion from infrastructure projects in the October Budget, including a range of projects across Mallee under the Building Better Regions Round 6 and Community Development Grants programs. Now she is sharpening the razor on more regional projects,” Dr Webster said.

“These major cuts will impact vital rail, road, water, hospital, school and other infrastructure projects throughout the country.”

Notably, election commitments made by Labor will be exempt from the review.

“That should tell you all you need to know about Minister King’s intentions,” Dr Webster said.

“She has repeatedly accused the Coalition of pork barrelling, but when it comes to Labor commitments there is ‘nothing to see here’.”

Dr Webster invited Minister King to Mallee in October last year to visit projects awaiting Government funding, however this invitation has not been taken up.

“Minister King needs to see and hear from Mallee residents about the importance of these projects, such as the BioMed Wet Lab at La Trobe University in Mildura, Nhill’s Davis Park or Deledio Reserve in Dunolly, just to name a few.’ Dr Webster said.

“Labor talks a big talk about governing for ‘all Australians’, well they need to remember to remember 30% live in regional Australia.”