Investment in regional Victorian projects has fallen by more than $1.1 billion in two years, according to figures the Victorian Treasurer has confirmed in Parliament in response to a question from the Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland MP.
In her response, Treasurer Jaclyn Symes confirmed that expenditure on projects with a regional location dropped from $4.2 billion in 2022-23 to $3.4 billion in 2023-24, and to $3.1 billion in 2024-25 — a fall of more than a quarter over two years.
“This is the Allan Labor Government’s own data, and it confirms what people across our region already feel, that country Victoria has been pushed to the back of the queue,” Ms Cleeland said.
“$1.1 billion is not an abstract figure. That is pothole ridden dangerous roads left unfixed, hospitals left waiting for basic infrastructure, and our region’s schools still going without while families are told to be patient.”
Ms Cleeland said the Nationals had a plan to stop regional communities being short-changed: a Fair Share Guarantee that would commit 25 per cent of all new infrastructure spending to regional Victoria.
“Under a Fair Share Guarantee, one in every four dollars of new infrastructure spending would be locked in for the regions, funding safer roads, school upgrades and investment in our local health services,” she said.
“That is the difference between a government that treats country Victoria as a priority and one that treats us as an afterthought.”
With less than five months until the state election, Ms Cleeland said regional Victorians would be weighing which parties were prepared to back their communities.
“Country communities should not have to fight for the basics. At this election, people will decide whether their community’s future is locked in, or left behind.”
The Treasurers response can be viewed here https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/parliamentary-activity/questions-database/question-details/34187
