SEENEY’S ROYALTIES FOR REGIONS PROGRAM A SHAM.

Media Release. 

 

The Newman Government’s over-hyped Royalties for the Regions program has been a waste of time and effort for many Queensland councils genuinely feeling the impact of resources-related development sats Shadow State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Tim Mulherin.

“It’s a sham that holds out the prospect of funding for councils but which fails to deliver to mining communities."

“Coal and other royalties are expected to bring in $2.604 billion this financial year, but the Newman Government will give back a tiny fraction of it to the communities where the money is generated."

“This week Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney announced Round Three of the program would provide $130 million to support critical infrastructure projects for councils outside South East Queensland."

“All State Government grants to help local governments pay for infrastructure projects are welcome. But if it was a real royalties for regions program it would have delivered for Queensland’s mineral province around Mount Isa and other eligible regions by now."

“The Deputy Premier has admitted, in response to a question on notice that it is a grants program not a real royalties for regions program."

“His written answer, to a question asking him to explain why he had twice ignored bids from Mount Isa, reveals the true extent of the pretence.”

Mr Seeney answered: “Eligible councils are neither guaranteed nor entitled to receive project funding, regardless of the mining royalties that may be associated with a particular region.

“The distribution of program funds is determined on the basis of the relative strategic merit and priority order of eligible projects.”

Mr Mulherin said: “Round Two attracted 113 applications for funding but only 32 were shortlisted. More than two thirds of the applications failed.

“It is time the Deputy Premier called a spade and spade and admitted that this is a local government grants program, and not a policy that delivers a royalty return for our mining regions."

“Throughout Queensland, councillors will be asking their staff to spend time to identify projects and fill out applications, but for the vast majority it will be a total waste of time."

“Royalties for the Regions does nothing that Labor’s infrastructure grants programs did not do and Mr Seeney knows that he is selling mining regions short,” he said.