Regions out in the cold, says Cathy

CATHY McGowan has challenged the major parties to come develop a long-term vision for regional Australia.

The independent MP yesterday said Indi voters believed neither the federal government nor Labor opposition were doing enough to show the regions were a priority.

She believed the issue would be a key election issue next year, an view formed on a post-budget tour of the electorate.

Her tour report was based on 351 responses she received at listening posts and on online.

Ms McGowan will now discuss those views with Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Monday.

She said small business incentives — including the $20,000 tax write-off — were popular, but many felt the government was not investing enough in regional infrastructure and job creation.

That was despite Indi receiving $12 million, including $10 million to redevelop central Wodonga.

“People are asking what’s the government doing about regional Australia, where’s the bigger vision?” she said.

“What’s happening with infrastructure, or issues with mobile phone access, the trains?”

She agreed she had to do more to put regional Australia on the national agenda “but it’s not just me — the major parties need to have dedicated regional Australia policies”.

“Neither party has one,” she said.

“The issue is not so much rectified as being on the agenda a lot more people.

“At the next election I can say: ‘This is what Indi says is important’, and make it an election issue.”

Her report showed voters were concerned about welfare changes and cuts to emergency relief programs and councils.

Most welcomed a review of health funding to “ensure the system is efficient and stable”.

Others were worried about the deficit and feared the government had “listened to polls too much and was headed in the wrong direction”.

“Overall, people feel the government got the message from the previous budget,” Ms McGowan said.

“They’ve a big effort to reconcile with the community,” she said.

The report is available on Ms McGowan’s website or her Wodonga and Wangaratta offices.