Thursday 19 December 2024
The revolving door of regional neglect continues under the Allan Labor Government with the appointment of the sixth Minister for Regional Development in 10 years.
In a portfolio depleted of any funds to help regional communities, this is now the moment of truth for the latest Ministerial appointment Jacyln Symes.
Ms Symes was today also announced as Treasurer. At the helm of the state’s balance sheet, there is no excuse not to ease the pain suffered by regional Victorians.
Regional Victoria is 25 per cent of the state’s population, yet it receives only 13 per cent of the Allan Labor’s Government’s infrastructure spend.
Memo Ms Symes: As Treasurer and Minister for Regional Development, do something about that embarrassing imbalance.
Ms Symes’ return to the Regional Development portfolio means Labor has averaged a new Minister every 20 months in this critical portfolio.
When Ms Symes was previously Minister in 2020, she boasted of a budget spending $8 billion on the regions.
In the 2024/25 Budget, the Premier, Treasurer and former Minister for Regional Development also boasted of their investment – but it was only $2 billion, or two per cent of the total budget.
Leader of The Nationals, Danny O’Brien said Labor’s neglect of the regions was glaring.
“Jaclyn Symes will need to explain why in her government’s own words, spending on the regions has collapsed to just a quarter of what it was four years ago.
“There is virtually no money left in the Regional Development portfolio and jobs in the department have been axed, along with the Latrobe Valley Authority.
“As a regional MP and Treasurer, Jaclyn Symes has the opportunity to reverse Labor’s savage cuts to our regions.”
Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Melina Bath, said regional Victoria needs help after 10 years of neglect.
“The independent Parliamentary Budget Officer has highlighted that regional Victoria is receiving just 13 per cent of state government infrastructure spending despite representing 25 per cent of the state’s population.
“Minister Symes must restore funding to our regions to ensure we get our fair share.”
Mr O’Brien said it was also ironic that a regional MP in Harriet Shing, has been appointed to oversee the Suburban Rail Loop.
“I look forward to Ms Shing explaining to regional people why their roads and other infrastructure are in such a dire state as she proceeds with a $200 billion-plus city project that will deliver nothing for regional residents.”
Media contact: Dominic McDermott 0448 163 006 dominic.mcdermott@opposition.vic.gov.au