Candidates weigh in on Haines' roads policy

INDI candidates for One Nation, The Greens, and Libertarians have responded to incumbent Independent Helen Haines' policy to create a Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI) that would have $500 million to be funded to local councils each year. Dr Haines' proposal has been costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office, which has calculated Indi would receive an additional $36.3 million over four years, including $6.17 million for the Rural City of Wangaratta. One Nation's Athol Thomas questioned whether it was a federal issue and also if an Independent could secure the funding. "While One Nation acknowledges the importance of regional infrastructure, it’s critical to note that roads are primarily a state government responsibility," Mr Thomas said. "Federal programs like the LRCI do provide support, however, the state ultimately manages and funds these networks. "I question how Helen Haines, as an Independent, would secure an additional $500 million specifically for rural roads in Indi. "Without being part of a governing Coalition, Independents face challenges in directly influencing budget allocations." Mr Thomas said at the state level, One Nation’s Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell has been actively advocating for regional roads in Northern Victoria. He said One Nation supports practical infrastructure investment, particularly for regional areas like Indi, but they emphasise state accountability and question the feasibility of an Independent securing such specific federal funds without coalition backing. "Having an elected One Nation federal member would provide a stronger voice to advocate for such funding, coordinating with their state counterpart to ensure it is managed effectively, directed where it is intended to go and required the most without being squandered in government bureaucracy," he said. The Greens' candidate Alysia Regan said the party wants local governments to have the resources they need to provide community infrastructure. "The Greens are proposing a new Sustainable Cities Agency to administer $40 billion of additional funding for our cities, suburbs and towns over 10 years, and ensure everyone has crucial community infrastructure within a short distance of their home," she said. "Our Indi community has been taken for granted by the major parties for too long - The Greens will always fight to make sure that our community has a strong voice in Canberra." Libertarians candidate Tim Quilty also highlighted roads were a state issue but have become a "mess" due to state and federal government revenue raising. "The Melbourne government can’t be trusted to spend money in the regions – they would blow it all in Melbourne, which is why the roads are messed up now," Mr Quilty said. "We need structural reform, including separating control of regional Victoria from the giant money-sucking black-hole of Melbourne. "I have a strong record of advocating for fixing roads in Northern Victoria, and I will continue to do this as a federal MP, even while I push for cuts in taxes and wasteful spending. "We will identify where cuts to government spending will come from to pay for any increase we propose. "Any candidate advocating for more spending without identifying how it is paid for is either misleading you or a believer in the magic money tree, in neither case should they actually be an MP."

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