Senator Jane Hume has dismissed suggestions that the Coalition is overlooking funding for large projects in Ballarat.
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The Liberal Party senator, with her return to her Senate seat officially confirmed last week, described the criticism as unfair.
Since I have been elected, there have been a number of announcements that have been relevant to Ballarat and there is a lot of projects that are ongoing already
- Senator Jane Hume
Senator Hume said the Coalition was prioritising federal infrastructure projects that would most assist the city's fast growing population.
"Since I have been elected, there have been a number of announcements that have been relevant to Ballarat and there is a lot of projects that are ongoing already," she told The Courier.
The senator, just appointed an assistant minister for superannuation, financial services and financial technology, mentioned the Ballarat Line Upgrade as an example of a large infrastructure project supported by the Coalition.
The rail upgrade is a Victorian state government project, which was put on the priority list by the independent statutory body Infrastructure Australia.
Other projects she cited were the Western Highway duplication between Ballarat and Stawell and upgrades to the Sunraysia Highway between Ballarat and Ouyen.
While we would like to be able to do everything, we do have to make some priority judgements
- Senator Jane Hume
There was no indication whether Senator Hume would advocate for projects immediately within and around the city, such as funding for the Her Majesty's Theatre renovation, the Ballarat Airport upgrade or for the Ballarat Innovation and Research Collaboration for Health (BIRCH).
However, she did cite the government's $10.1 million dollar funding pledge for Sovereign Hill, which was made earlier this year, and a commitment of $10 million towards the Ballarat Sports and Events centre made in 2017.
"I know the Committee for Ballarat has a very long wish-list of things that they would like to do," she said.
"While we would like to be able to do everything, we do have to make some priority judgements, and they have been around infrastructure in particular. We want to invest money where it is going to be most effective."
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