The Federal Government is under pressure to say how it will hand out Tasmania’s $100 million regional development fund. Source: ABC News
The Greens want more detail about how the money from the forest peace deal will be spent over the next four years.
Earlier this month, Federal Labor MP Geoff Lyons said the Government had already decided to fund some projects.
Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson says he fears the process is being rushed.
“Was it an application process, was it put out to tender or were we picking winners here?” he said.
“So I think it’s really important to get this information out there now in the public before the Government’s made any announcements on funding and we can perhaps even take our time with the process and make sure we get it right.”
He says people have been asking his office about how to apply for a slice of the money.
“I would have thought for something as important as this that everyone across the state would have had the opportunity for funding.”
In the Senate, the Government did not say whether the money was put out to tender. Senator Joe Ludwig said the Government is working with reference groups.
