Labor has let down local Governments by failing to deliver on its promise of increased funding, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says.

After initially stalling any funding increases by opening an Inquiry into Local Government Sustainability, the Labor-controlled committee responsible has had to extend the deadline for submissions to the end of May.

“Pushing the closing date for submissions back by four weeks takes it well past this year’s budget and almost certainly guarantees Labor will fail to fairly increase funding to Local Governments this term,” Dr Webster said.

“Mallee’s 12 councils and the more than 500 others around Australia have every right to question if not now for more funding, then when?”

Dr Webster said Labor’s broken pledge to councils added to the broken promises on $275 energy bill reductions, delivering Stage 3 Tax Cuts in full, superannuation, franking credits and more.

“Since they took office Labor cut regional programs that Mallee councils relied on, leaving roads in disrepair in Mallee and across Australia.” Dr Webster said.

“Their replacement funds have yet to get off the ground with councils still waiting almost two years on whether they will be supported by Labor’s own programs. On top of this, Infrastructure Minister Catherine King’s highly politicised 90 day review of infrastructure projects, which stretched to more than 200 days. Councils were kept in the dark whether projects already funded such as the Swan Hill Bridge or the duplication of lanes on the Western Highway would even go ahead.”

Dr Webster said Labor only cared about its own pet projects and urban electorates, leaving regional councils waiting for crumbs from the table.

“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,” Dr Webster said.

“I have written to all 12 Mallee Councils encouraging them to make a submission to this inquiry and make their voices heard on the injustice of Labor’s lack of support.”

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).