Labor is stalling on the funding support it promised for Mallee’s 12 councils, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says.

“Labor promised ‘fair increases’ to local government funding but instead of following through with those increases they have now opened an inquiry into the financial stability of local councils,” Dr Webster said. “It’s as though a brave soul piped up in the Labor caucus that they’d forgotten to deliver their funding promise and an election is imminent! The Albanese Government’s inquiry into the financial sustainability of local government cynically stalls action to deliver more support for the 12 Councils in Mallee and the other 525 Councils across Australia.

“Worse still, Labor’s broken pledge to councils adds to the broken promises on $275 energy bill reductions, delivering Stage 3 Tax Cuts in full, superannuation, franking credits and more.

“Labor cut regional programs that Mallee councils relied on, leaving roads in disrepair in Mallee and across Australia. Labor also stranded vital infrastructure at the planning stage with no money to build. Even money like the $60 million the Coalition provided in office to upgrade the Swan Hill Bridge remains stranded under Minister King. The Minister’s 90-day review – which became a 200+ day review – and delays to Growing Regions funding rounds has also starved councils for years of vital infrastructure upgrades.

“By contrast, when the Coalition was in Government we provided $3 billion in Local Roads and Infrastructure Funding to Councils nationwide, and I delivered more than $92 million in Mallee. Earlier this month I was pleased to open the Jeparit Riverfront project made possible with $750,000 in LRCI funding from the former Coalition Government.”

Last month the Australian Local Government Association publicly warned that time was ‘running out for the Federal Government to deliver on its pre-election promise for fair increases to Financial Assistance Grants to Australia’s 537 local governments.’

“With inquiry submissions closing May 3, how can there be new funding for local government in the May 14 budget?” Dr Webster said. “In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, family budgets will take the hit yet again as ratepayers are forced to fund rising demand for infrastructure, maintenance and critical services.”

For more details on the inquiry, including how to make a submission, go to Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)