Shadow Minister for Local Government and Regional Development Darren Chester has hit out at the current minister Catherine King, claiming the Labor government has abandoned the Stronger Communities Program (SCP).

Developed by the former Coalition Government, the SCP provided $175 million to more than 15,000 small projects across the nation across eight funding rounds. A spokeswoman for Catherine King told The Bugle that funding for projects in Round 8 are still rolling out, and that the Albanese Government included additional integrity measures to ensure it could continue. However, the program year-on-year, so future rounds are still subject to future budget processes.

Additionally, the previous Coalition Government did not appropriate funding for SCP Round 8 in its final budget, and the money had to be appropriated from the Labor Government’s October 2022-23 budget.

“[The] former Government didn’t deliver any funds for Round 8 and certainly didn’t make provision for funding beyond that,” Minister Catherine King’s spokeswoman told The Bugle.

Despite this, Chester maintains that the SCP was abandoned by King despite bipartisan support the program received in Parliament.

He pointed out that Minister King’s own Department says on its website: “All Rounds of the SCP have been very successful, with a wide variety of projects funded including upgrades to community halls and clubhouses, equipment for both aged care and day care facilities, men's sheds and associated equipment, scoreboards, computers, inflatable rescue boats and disaster recovery generators.”

Chester continued his attack on Minister King, asking why it was abandoned if the program was a success.

“Sadly, in the middle of a cost of living crisis, the pressure is going to fall on volunteers to raise more money and local governments to fund thousands of additional projects because this Minister thinks Canberra knows best, and she doesn’t trust local communities to make good decisions.”

NSW Member for Kiama Gareth Ward also weighed in, commenting, “Once again, Labor say one thing before the election and do another thing after,” adding, “Just like NSW Labor cuts to the Community Building Partnerships Program, Federal Labor is cutting the Stronger Communities Program.”

Taking a dig at our Federal MP on this issue, Ward says, “All I ever see our Federal MP do is read from Labor’s talking points. Lots of promises, but not much delivery.”

Ward says, “You can add to this list Labor’s cuts to the Regional Seniors Travel Card, the Active Kids Rebate, the Creative Kids Rebate, the First Lap Voucher, and the Regional Student Travel Card.” He feels that this Labor Government and its Members of Parliament might be great campaigners, but they never deliver on their promises and get things done.”

Comments from MP Fiona Phillips have been received and included in a subsequent article: here is the link