Fair share guarantee to put regional Victoria back on the map

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, has welcomed the Victorian Nationals’ new Fair Share Guarantee, which will ensure regional Victoria receives 25 per cent of all new state infrastructure spending under a future Liberal and Nationals Government.
The commitment, announced over the weekend, comes after Parliamentary Budget Office analysis revealed regional Victoria currently receives just 12 per cent of infrastructure funding despite being home to 25 per cent of the state’s population.
Ms Kealy said regional communities had been consistently overlooked by the Allan Labor Government while Melbourne projects continued to dominate spending.
“Regional Victorians pay their taxes, build our economy, produce our food and power this state, yet we continue to be treated like second-class citizens when it comes to government investment,” Ms Kealy said.
“For too long, our roads have been left to crumble, our hospitals operating off an oily rag, and our local communities forced to fight for basic infrastructure while billions are poured into Melbourne.”
“The Fair Share Guarantee is about restoring balance and making sure regional Victoria finally receives the investment it deserves.”
Under the policy, at least one in every four dollars of new infrastructure spending would be directed to regional Victoria, helping deliver upgrades to roads, schools, hospitals, emergency services and community infrastructure.
Ms Kealy said communities across the region knew firsthand what happened when governments ignored the regions.
“People across our region are tired of being forgotten. They are tired of watching projects delayed, services reduced and opportunities missed because Labor continues to prioritise Melbourne over regional communities.”
“This commitment sends a very clear message, regional Victoria matters.”
Ms Kealy said the policy would help ensure future governments could no longer short-change country communities.
“This is about fairness. If 25 per cent of Victorians live in regional Victoria, then regional Victoria deserves at least 25 per cent of the investment.”
“A Liberal and Nationals Government will fight to make sure regional families, businesses and communities finally get their fair share.”