Roy Butler calls for fairer regional infrastructure investment

STATE Member for Barwon Roy Butler has called for fairer state government investment in regional infrastructure.

In parliament, Mr Butler voiced concerns about a disparity in infrastructure spending between regional and metropolitan areas.

Through a motion in the Legislative Assembly, Mr Butler highlighted that regional electorates make up nearly one-third of the state’s population yet receive far less than that share of infrastructure expenditure.

“Nobody is saying that every dollar should be divided up evenly. Sydney has more people, bigger transport networks and more expensive infrastructure projects,” Mr Butler told parliament.

“But I do not think anyone could seriously argue that one-third of the population should receive just 5 per cent of the infrastructure spend. That is not a fair outcome.”

Through his motion, Mr Butler said infrastructure spending was essential to the liveability of country areas.

A lack of spending to improve life in the regions leads to increased spending on welfare and youth crime issues, his motion read.

“A core principle of our democracy is that every person gets one vote. Whether you live in Sydney, Broken Hill, Bourke, Cobar or Walgett, your vote counts equally,” Mr Butler said.

“The same thinking should apply when governments make decisions about where infrastructure funding goes. People in regional NSW contribute to this state just as much as – sometimes more than – anybody else. They deserve a fair share of the investment.

“Yet Treasury documents show that only 5 per cent of direct infrastructure spending is flowing to regional electorates; most is going to Sydney roads and metro lines.

“Getting those figures was difficult. The budget papers are not transparent and make direct comparisons difficult. If someone comes up with a different figure, I would be interested to see how they arrived at it.

“We constantly hear about cost overruns on metro projects, toll roads and major city developments. When those projects run over budget, governments seem to find more money and the projects continue. But when regional projects become more expensive, they often get pushed back, scaled down or left sitting on the shelf.”

Mr Butler said country people did not begrudge Sydney its metro lines or its new Fish Market.

“What people in western NSW are asking for is much more basic,” he said.

“They are asking for reliable drinking water. They are asking for infrastructure that supports farming and grazing. They are asking for accurate weather information. They are asking for the basics that make it possible to live, work and invest in regional communities.

“Those are not luxury items. They are foundations for a strong regional economy.”