Regional Partnerships Axed, Better Regions Born
Illawarra Mercury
Wednesday May 14, 2008
THE controversial Regional Partnerships program, accused last year of propping up support for Government MPs, has been discontinued at a saving of $236.2 million. The program drew controversy after it was revealed more money was spent by Coalition MPs in their seats than in Labor-held seats. The Mercury discovered projects in the seat of Gilmore Liberal MP Joanna Gash received more funding under the program than neighbouring Labor seats. The Australian National Audit Office's Performance Audit of the Regional Partnerships Program noted last November "the program had fallen short of an acceptable standard of public administration, particularly in relation to the assessment of grant applications and the management of funding agreements". Meanwhile, regional areas such as the Illawarra will be $24 million worse off in total after the Federal Government virtually renamed a funding project. It announced it would scrap the Growing Regions Program, worth $200 million over five years, and establish the Better Regions program, with $176 million budgeted over four years.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury