RUDDS REJECTION OF REGIONAL AUSTRALIA SHOWS IN DEPARTMENTAL STAFF

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Evidence given today in Senate Estimates hearings confirm the Rudd Governments lack of interest in rural and regional Australia.

Figures show that departmental staff of the Regional Branch of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government have fallen from around 200 to 140.

Clearly the Rudd Government continues to withdraw funding and support from rural and regional Australia to try to fund its irresponsible and reckless budget policies.

Staffing for the Office Northern Australia has fallen to five in Townsville and one in Darwin, with the clear majority of Commonwealth public servants administering Northern Australia located in the very ‘remote’ city of Canberra.

On top of the great big new mining tax which will devastate regional Australia, the reduction in staffing levels is another blow to regional and remote Australia.

And with the relevant minister in charge of Rural and Remote Australia based in the ‘remote’ electorate of Watson (situated next to the Sydney airport) the lack of interest by the Rudd Government in rural and regional Australia is palpable.

END

27 May 2010

Media contact Gordon Terry      (02) 6277 3722   or   0427 960 255                                           

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