Mon, 23 Nov 2015 - 11:38
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Commonwealth to spend $6.1 million to support ACT Government

The Australian Government has provided $6.1 million to the ACT Government. This is the second quarterly instalment for 2015–16 under the local government Financial Assistance Grant programme.

Total national spending by the Australian Government in 2015–16 under the Financial Assistance Grants programme will be $2.3 billion. This includes $1.1 billion that was paid early on 30 June 2015.

Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government Paul Fletcher said the ACT Government is free to spend this money in the way they judge best meets the need of their community.

“The ACT Government knows what its community’s priorities are,” Mr Fletcher said.

“These funds will be allocated for many different purposes – roads, kindergartens, libraries, infrastructure and many other priorities.”

Mr Fletcher said the ACT Government can also access a range of other Australian Government programmes for funding, including the Roads to Recovery programme, which has more than $1 billion allocated across Australia in 2015–16.

“The ACT Government can also apply for funding under the Bridges Renewal Programme, the National Stronger Regions Fund, the Black Spot Programme and the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme,” Mr Fletcher said.

“In 2015-16, total Commonwealth funding to the ACT Government under these programmes will reach $19.5 million.

“This large allocation reflects factors such as Roads to Recovery Funding being almost tripled over the two years beginning 2015–16,” Mr Fletcher said.

More information about the Financial Assistance Grant programme, including funding being made to individual local governing bodies across Australia, is online at: www.regional.gov.au/local/assistance/index.aspx.

Media Contact: Catherine McDonald 0447 066 213