Mr McCurdy said a future Liberal-Nationals state government would introduce a “Fair Share Guarantee” requiring 25 per cent of all new Victorian Government infrastructure spending to be directed to regional areas.
He said regional communities were being disadvantaged in current funding allocations.
“Regional families pay their taxes just like everyone else, yet our roads, hospitals, schools and community infrastructure continue to be neglected while billions are poured into Melbourne projects,” Mr McCurdy said.
Under the proposal, regional funding would apply to infrastructure projects including roads, schools, hospitals, emergency services, mental health facilities and other public infrastructure.
Mr McCurdy said analysis from the Independent Parliamentary Budget Office showed less than 12 per cent of infrastructure spending in the 2025-26 Victorian Budget was allocated to regional Victoria.
He said communities throughout the Ovens Valley understood the consequences of being “short-changed”.
“Our region contributes enormously to Victoria through agriculture, tourism and small business, yet we continue to miss out on the investment we deserve,” Mr McCurdy said.
