10 April 2025 - Coalition Unveils $20B Regional Australia Fund Amid Criticism Over Debt Strategy
Coalition pledges $20b Regional Australia Future Fund to improve health, child care and infrastructure inequalities
Lucy Barbour (ABC, 10/04/2025)
A Liberal-National Coalition government will seek to end childcare deserts, improve healthcare access and fund more roads and infrastructure in the regions with a $20 billion fund that would exist in perpetuity. The Regional Australia Future Fund (RAFF) is one of two new funds the Coalition would establish, with a similar design to Labor's housing and manufacturing funds which it plans to repeal.
Regional Australia to share in $20 billion future fund
Dominic Giannini and Andrew Brown (Canberra Times, 10/04/2025)
Rural and regional Australians could share in billions of dollars to fill gaps in infrastructure, childcare and health services that local authorities can't afford. The Nationals have pledged a regional Australian future fund worth $20 billion, if the coalition wins the May 3 election, with $1 billion to be set aside for projects each year. The junior coalition partner has denied the money would be used for pork barrelling.
Angus Taylor's new debt fund is a 'gimmick', says prominent economist
Tom Crowley (ABC, 10/04/2025)
The Coalition has defended its proposal to set aside a portion of mining windfalls into a "piggy bank" to pay down future debt, which economist Saul Eslake says is a "gimmick" which would not repair the budget. Mr Taylor told reporters on Thursday this would create a "lasting national asset" and would be used "first and foremost to pay down the nation's debt".
Dutton visits sixth petrol station in seven days – as it happened
Emily Wind (The Guardian, 10/04/2025)
Many thanks for joining us on the blog for another jam-packed day on the campaign trail. That’s where we’ll leave things for now – here are all the main takeaways from today: Anthony Albanese began the day in Cairns, announcing $10m for the Great Barrier Reef, focusing on education and tourism, as well as $27.5m for a health and engineering wing at CQUniversity’s Cairns campus.The Coalition, meanwhile, announced it would establish two future funds – one to pay down national debt, and the other to invest in regional infrastructure. You can read more details on these here.
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