Mia Davies: Royalties for Regions carve-up an ‘unprecedented attack on the bush’

Treasurer Ben Wyatt announced in his budget speech on Thursday that $861 million of regional programs, which were previously centrally funded, would be paid for out of Royalties for Regions.

Instead of funding new infrastructure or programs this money would pay for general government programs.

“Royalties for Regions was created by the Nationals to fund regional development projects and diversify regional economies on top of usual government funding,” Ms Davies said.

“Instead, Mr Wyatt is raiding the program to plug holes in his Budget and pay for ongoing government services and infrastructure projects in transport, health, water and education.

“Royalties for Regions is dead in all but name. What's worse, the money saved by using Royalties for Regions to pay for core government services is being ploughed back into Labor's election promises – which have blown out by $1 billion in less than six months.”

Ms Davies said the budget was nothing short of an “unprecedented attack on the bush”.

“Today's cruel cuts throughout regional Western Australia will do nothing to assist the state's finances, with debt predicted to blow out by $11 billion over the next four years... Labor's regional MPs have been exposed as imposters.

“For them to stand and applaud a budget which discriminates against the constituents they profess to represent is treacherous.”

“Labor came to power promising to create jobs and reduce State debt.

“They have failed on both accounts.”

But the treasurer denied the program was “dead” and simply needed a “financial re-think”.

“There is plenty of good news for regional WA in our Government's first Budget – we’re investing in initiatives that will grow and diversify the economy from Broome to Esperance,” he said.

“This is a budget that strikes the balance between retaining critical existing regional projects and fulfilling our Government’s job-generating election commitments in the regions.”

Premier Mark McGowan echoed Mr Wyatt’s sentiments and said it was important to focus on existing assets rather than looking at new projects.

“The Royalties for Regions fund, framework and legislation will continue, as we have made clear, however we are ensuring funding is spent wisely on projects that people really need,” he said.

“We want to unleash the economic potential of regional WA through tourism, agriculture, aquaculture and other growth industries to create long-term jobs for all Western Australians.”