Michael McCormack has today said that regional communities who will not be eligible for regional development and road funding “will understand”.

But with South Coast council areas once again left out of the much-hyped drought announcement, Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP, says that local farmers do not understand why our region now appears worse off than before today’s so-called drought support package.

Not only has the Liberal-National Government ignored the pleas of South Coast farmers and small businesses for help with the drought by not including Eurobodalla, Shoalhaven or Kiama councils in the Drought Communities Programme Extension, it appears to have left the region worse off by removing access to round four of the Building Better Regions Fund.

“Regional development grants are an important program that supports local jobs, infrastructure and economic growth,”

“I am absolutely flabbergasted that the government thinks so little of the South Coast that they would actually leave our farmers and small businesses worse off than they were before,” the Gilmore MP said.

Labor has long offered to work in a bipartisan manner with the government to support our local farmers and communities suffering through this drought.

The lack of transparency, lack of oversight and lack of detail in today’s announcement is deplorable.

“Local farmers in our community are suffering. Our dairy industry is in crisis. But this government keeps wasting opportunities to provide help and support to the South Coast,”

“The Prime Minister announced four extra NSW councils as eligible for funding – all in Liberal and National seats!”

“The Prime Minister must immediately clarify exactly what today’s announcement will mean for the South Coast region and whether our local council areas will actually now be worse off,”

“I will always stand up for our community to fight for the help and support we deserve,” Mrs Phillips said.