DOES THE MINISTER FOR REGIONAL SERVICES KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BALLARAT?

The Minister for Regional Services, Senator Bridget McKenzie this morning revealed her staggering ignorance about the needs of Ballarat.

In an interview with ABC Radio National Breakfast’s Fran Kelly, the Minister was pushed on why of 36 marginal seats receiving infrastructure funding, 27 are held by the government.

This pork-barrelling of government held marginal means that Labor-held regional seats like Ballarat and Bendigo are missing out.

When pushed on why projects in Ballarat missed out, the minister pointed to the government’s support for Victorian fast rail.

That would be fast rail from Melbourne to Geelong – nothing to do with Ballarat.

When pushed again on the much-needed Ballarat Airport upgrade, the Minister spoke about how the Coalition Government has extended the runway at Bendigo airport.

It is hard to see how Bendigo Airport is relevant when we are talking about a lack of investment in Ballarat.

Once again, the Morrison Government has shown their total ignorance of Ballarat and the needs of our community.