Hobbs must rule out cuts to community group funding

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt has called on the shadow minister to rule out cuts to community grants under a Springborg government.

Mr Pitt said the National Party’s plan to cut $1 billon from government agencies’ budgets via a three percent dividend would rip $31 million out of the Department of Local Government.

“I’m talking about grants given directly to councils and community organisations. And I’m calling on Howard Hobbs to deny that the Nationals 3% plan will rip the heart out of community grants,” Mr Pitt said.

“I challenge Mr Hobbs to look those community groups and councils in the eye and tell them they’ll still receive grants under a Springborg Government.

“Springborg’s plan will knee-cap the government’s Blueprint for the Bush – Strengthening Rural Communities initiative.

“Will schools like East Palmerston State School, which recently received a grant to set up a bus route to transport passengers to and from Innisfail, miss out in future?

“Will Cardwell’s Girringun Aboriginal Corporation still have access to funding to keep their community informed about opportunities and education sessions available to them?”

Mr Pitt said Mr Hobbs would have to tell groups like the Lions Club of Charters Towers they would have to raise their own funds for a community and emergency response vehicle.

“Will Councils such as Tablelands Regional Council, which receive funding to repair damaged roads because of monsoonal flooding, also have to go without or receive significantly less than what is needed?

“These are questions that Mr Hobbs should answer. Will he stand up for local government and the people who rely on these much-needed funds in rural and regional communities?

“He needs to state simply and unequivocally that cuts to local government grants programs will not happen.

“If the shadow minister does not agree, then he ought to say so. He ought to explain why that amount is wrong, or how the National Party has quarantined local government grants.”

Mr Pitt said the Government’s position was clear.

“The Bligh Government is strongly committed to building strong and sustainable communities across rural and remote Queensland,” he said.

“Lawrence Springborg, on the other hand, is determined to rip the heart and soul out of regional and rural communities in order to pay for reckless funding promises.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819