Mehmet Tillem (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Senator Johnston. I refer to the government's decision to freeze Federal Assistance Grants and rip $925 million from local councils over the next four years. Is the minister aware of comments by the Municipal Association of Victoria president, Councillor Bill McArthur, that these cuts will be a:

… black hole in Victorian council budgets, with much of it in rural communities.

Is the Municipal Association of Victoria right?