KING & CLARE – MEDIA RELEASE – LESS THAN A THIRD OF COUNCILS SIGN UP TO LOCAL ROADS AND COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM – SATURDAY, 1 AUGUST 2020

The Deputy Prime Minister revealed yesterday that only 175 out of Australia’s 537 local councils have so far signed up to receive their share of funding through his government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

This means that less than one third of Australian councils are currently taking part in the program. This program was designed to fund job-creating, shovel-ready infrastructure across the country. These figures reveal that it will not create jobs fast enough.

With 240,000 more Australians set to lose their jobs by Christmas, the government must urgently work with councils to progress their applications as quickly as possible.

When this program was announced, Labor noted that with 537 councils around Australia this $500 million program was welcome but modest.

Local Government is critical for recovery. Labor invested in local councils to drive recovery through the GFC, the government must do the same now.

Labor encourages every council to sign up for this program.

SATURDAY, 1 AUGUST 2020