STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr RICK WILSON (O'Connor) (13:45): On the same day we discovered that the Prime Minister's own electorate received a $6 million grant for his local golf club, we learnt that Labor's invite-only major local community infrastructure grants program excluded 45 electorates from even being considered for funding, including Durack, Forrest and my own electorate of O'Connor in regional WA.

Across O'Connor, 47 local governments, hundreds of sporting clubs and community organisations and thousands of volunteers have pleaded for support but have been denied the opportunity even to present their case. They weren't rejected through a competitive process; they were simply excluded. Regional Western Australians have every right to be furious.

This is part of our country that produces the grain, minerals, energy and exports that generate the rivers of gold for the Australian economy. These are the communities that help pay the nation's bills, yet they are being treated with contempt. This comes from a prime minister who promised cheaper power bills, promised no changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, promised integrity and transparency in government and told Australians 'my word is my bond'.

I call on the Prime Minister to come into the chamber and explain why, if there were $6 million available for a golf club in his electorate, communities like mine weren't given the same opportunity.