Fed: Fed govt quiet on regional funding coup for key states

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2004
Fed: Fed govt quiet on regional funding coup for key states

CANBERRA, Dec 14 AAP - People could make up their own minds about the fact that 80
per cent of funding from the regional partnerships program (RPP) went to crucial election
swing states, a federal minister said today.

Labor has branded the RPP as a slush fund.

It was revealed yesterday that the key Tasmanian seat of Bass, which ultimately swung
from Labor to Liberal at the federal election, was pledged $11.5 million in federal government
funding before the October election.

This was as much as New South Wales and Victoria combined received under the controversial RPP.

A leaked email from the Department of Transport and Regional Services, dated November
12, showed nearly 80 per cent of the $58 million pledged during the election went to the
crucial swing states of Tasmania and Queensland.

Pressed on whether this was merely coincidental, federal Local Government Minister
Jim Lloyd would only praise the value of the scheme.

"There's a process in which these RPP grants are approved and all those grants would
have met those guidelines," he told ABC radio.

"People can make their own judgment on that.

"All I know is regional partnerships is a great program and I strongly support it."

Asked why the seat of Bass received so much money, Mr Lloyd replied: "What I'm concerned
about is that the RPP continues because it has given great benefits all around Australia.

"There were some 461 projects all around Australia which have been approved in recent
times and that is bringing benefits to all communities."

A Senate inquiry into the use of the program will begin early next year.

AAP dep/drp/jlw

KEYWORD: REGIONAL LLOYD

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