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Posted: 2022-05-29 21:05:29

A report from the Parliamentary Budget Office has revealed the Andrews government has spent more than double the amount per capita on big infrastructure projects in the city compared to projects in regional Victoria. 

Infrastructure spending on projects worth more than $100 million, like many in the government's city-focused "big build" including the Metro and West Gate tunnels, came in at $15,268 per person in Greater Melbourne, and just $7,142 for people living outside the city.

For infrastructure spending on all assets, including projects less than $100 million, the gap between city and country dramatically decreased.

Across all asset spending, the government spent $18,068 per city person, and $15,245 for a regional Victorian — a difference of 19 per cent.

The budget office also identified nearly $2.5 billion in spending on projects that were not solely metropolitan or regional spending.

Opposition election promise

Liberal leader Matthew Guy and National Party leader Peter Walsh have promised to implement a regional infrastructure guarantee if elected in November. 

Mr Guy's election promise would see 25 per cent of all new government infrastructure spending directed towards projects in regional Victoria. 

"Regional Victorians have missed out for too long under city-centric Labor governments," Mr Guy said.

"Only a Liberals and Nationals government elected in November will treat our regional communities with respect by guaranteeing a fair share of 25 per cent of new infrastructure investment," he said. 

Two people smiling and holding up a report in front of a backdrop that reads Nationals
The Nationals' Steph Ryan and Peter Walsh want regional infrastructure spending tied to population size.(Supplied: Peter Walsh)

Member for Gippsland South and Nationals MP Danny O'Brien commissioned the Parliamentary Budget Office report.

"On a per capita basis, the government has spent about $15,000 per person on city people and only about $7,000 on country people," Mr O'Brien said.

"It's literally half what the city people are getting in terms of infrastructure.

Tim Bull, Peter Walsh, Darren Chester, Danny O'Brien and Melina Bath at the heyfield timber festival in front of logging truck.
Nationals reps Tim Bull, Peter Walsh, Darren Chester, Danny O'Brien and Melina Bath at Heyfield.(Supplied: Tim Bull)

Mr O'Brien said the party's guarantee would not mean projects with less of a cost-benefit ratio would be prioritised. 

"All of our regional infrastructure spending will stack up, particularly in light of the increased population move to rural and regional areas," he said. 

A map of election results
The 2018 Victorian election results show stronger Labor success in the Greater Melbourne area.(Supplied)

Labor defends regional spend

A spokesperson for the Victorian government said it had invested $36 billion in regional Victoria since 2015 — five times more than the previous Liberal-National government. 

"We're focused on the largest infrastructure build in Victoria's history, delivering thousands of jobs and economic benefit right across the state," the spokesperson said. 

"Regional Victorians know that the only legacy of the Liberal Nationals is cuts — cuts to education, cuts to health, cuts to agriculture, cuts to road and rail."

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