Abbott cuts funding for Tarneit Library

Joanne Ryan, Member for Lalor, has condemned the Abbott Government's decision to cut more than $1.05 million in Federal funding for the Tarneit Community Learning Centre Library.

Ms Ryan raised the issue in Parliament, saying the Coalition Government had failed to recognise the local community’s need for additional infrastructure.

“This funding was to be used to construct a library designed to meet the needs of our rapidly growing region and the very new community of Tarneit,” Ms Ryan said.

“It would have meant the City of Wyndham could continue to demonstrate to every family the value of literacy. And it would have meant a place to come together, particularly for some of our more isolated residents.”

“But because of the callous and heartless attitude of the Abbott Government, funding for this project had been cut.”

Ms Ryan said the funding was announced as part of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) Round 5 in June last year, despite the Government's claims it was an election promise

“This funding was announced months before the election and was included in the 2013-14 Budget.”

“The Liberal and National Government is just trying to shirk their responsibility in taking away this funding from communities in need.”

"I call on the Abbott Government needs to come clean and explain to our community why they are denying Tarneit this important community facility."

Funding for the project was to construct a new 1,465m2 extension to the existing Tarneit Community Centre, providing a functional and integrated library for the local community.