• LNP Government to restore $495 million Royalties for Regions program
• Royalties for Regions was replaced with a smaller, shorter and narrower program by Palaszczuk Labor Government
• Labor is slashing $3.6 billion in capital purchases, with regional QLD feeling the brunt
• LNP Government will restore jobs and confidence to rural and regional QLD

Gregory would benefit from a reinstated and enhanced Royalties for Regions program under an LNP Government, Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg and Member for Gregory Lachlan Millar MP have announced.

Mr Springborg said the Palaszczuk Labor Government had replaced the LNP’s $495 million Royalties for Regions initiative with a smaller, shorter and narrower program - more than halving investment in critical infrastructure projects and highlighting a lack of commitment to regional development.

He said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had held Queensland back by cutting infrastructure spending across Queensland since being elected more than a year ago.

“Over the next four years, capital purchases have been slashed by $3.6 billion, with regional communities particularly feeling the brunt of the cutbacks,” he said. 

“This is typical of Labor governments that have long-denied regional Queensland the infrastructure investment it desperately needed to keep up with growth.

“That’s why in 2012 the LNP took action and announced the flagship $495 million Royalties for Regions program.”

“By restoring the Royalties for Regions program the LNP will help unlock the economic potential of regional Queensland to improve our communities and create more jobs.”

Mr Millar said that Gregory had received about $34.5 million of funding for critical infrastructure under Royalties for the Regions.

“That was funding specific to Gregory. In addition to that money, we also benefited from part of the $20 million allocated to the promotion of Drive Tourism in Queensland,” said Mr Millar.

Mr Millar said Royalties for the Regions had funded airport, road and water upgrades across the electorate as well as projects like the Nogoa River Rail Bridge capacity upgrade in Emerald, the Blackall Early Childhood Education and Care Centre, the Alpha Hospital and Emergency Services Campus, the Jericho swimming pool and the Eromanga Natural History Museum.

“The regions desperately need this funding. The regions also earn this funding,” said Mr Millar.

“As the Member for Gregory I am delighted that the LNP will enhance and expand the Royalties for Regions program to ensure Gregory can once again share in the benefits of the wealth we create,” he said.

“Our upgraded Royalties for Regions fund will focus on delivering more investment into our regions, creating economic growth and jobs for the Central Highlands and the Central West,” he said.

“Reinstating Royalties for Regions will really help our local communities meet critical infrastructure needs going forward.

 “Only the LNP is committed to Gregory and regional Queensland and will deliver a fair and flexible Royalties for Regions.”

Fast Facts:

• Between 2012 and 2015 Royalties for Regions invested in 147 regional community infrastructure, road and flood mitigation projects with a combined value of more than $790 million.
• Specific guidelines for the reinstated Royalties for Regions will be further developed in consultation with the Department of State Development.
• All projects will need to demonstrate community support and benefits, ongoing viability, value for money and improvements to community infrastructure.
• Applications from local governments are encouraged, but proposals will also be accepted by community leaders and stakeholder groups.