LABOR TAKING MORE MONEY OUT OF REGIONS

A worthy local project in Temora has had its funding stripped by the Labor Government.

Plans to expand aged care services in the Temora community are now in serious disarray after more than $3.6 million of funding was taken off the table.

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack slammed the decision, saying it was another Labor dagger in the heart of regional Australia.

“Regional communities are screaming out for better aged care services and this decision contradicts what Labor says it stands for,” Mr McCormack said.

“Whiddon Group Temora received $3.685 million through Round 2 of the Building Better Regions Fund towards undertaking a much-needed expansion to its Narraburra facility in Temora which would have provided an additional 50 beds for ageing locals, building on the former Coalition Government granting 50 additional aged care places to the facility through the 2016-17 Aged Care Approvals Round.

“The Frank Whiddon Masonic Lodge has been providing aged care services for the Temora town and region for more than 40 years.

“Not only will the town’s older residents suffer through this appalling decision, but employment opportunities will also be lost. The flow-on effect projects of this scale have on smaller country communities cannot be overstated.

“Whilst COVID-19 and labour and supply issues have presented challenges for the project, the Coalition Government was always willing to work through issues to ensure the best outcomes for all involved. This does not appear to be the case from this current Labor Government, which would much rather rip funding out of the regions.

“The Minister will duck and weave and say it was a decision of the Department, but ministers are put there to make decisions, not cower behind a faceless department.

“If Labor was serious about improving outcomes in the regions, then it should start by reversing this appalling decision, post-haste.”

Mr McCormack said he had spoken with Whiddon Group Chief Executive Officer Chris Mamarelis and he had expressed his deep disappointment with the withdrawal of this critical funding.