Abbott Government confirms they re-announced Labor funding

 Media Release

18 March 2014

A senior minister in the Abbott Government has confirmed the Coalition re-announced funding in the Torres Strait that had already been provided by the former Labor government.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion told a Senate Estimates hearing that the Coalition’s much touted funding for sea walls was a Labor funded initiative.

When questioned about the Coalition’s February ‘announcement’ of sea wall funding, Senator Scullion said a $6 million investment in the project was budgeted for by Labor Minister Jenny Macklin.

Senator McLUCAS: So that is the money that Minister Macklin announced?

Senator Scullion: Yes.

[Senate Estimates hearing, 28 February 2014]

Queensland Labor Senator Jan McLucas said the Coalition continues to mislead the Torres Strait community.

“Mr Entsch was in government for more than a decade and did nothing to help the Torres Strait community to build sea walls.

“It took a Labor Government to do the necessary work and provide the funding to make it a reality.

“After the 2013 election, the Abbott Government wanted to take back the funding Labor had allocated for sea walls but after significant pressure, finally agreed to honour our investment.

“Now they’ve rebadged the project as their own and tried to take credit.”

Senator McLucas said the Abbott Government has form when it comes to re-announcing Labor’s projects.

“In January, we saw Mr Entsch at it again, re-announcing the $210 million Cape York Infrastructure Package delivered by Labor in 2013.”

The package was announced in Cairns on 13 June 2013 by then Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Regional Services, Local Communities and Territories, Catherine King and Senator Jan McLucas.

The $210 million investment includes road upgrades for Mapoon, Weipa and Aurukun communities, the redevelopment of Seisia Wharf and community drainage projects.