He said the Government was tying taskforce recommendations to the privatisation of electricity – a proposal that has been strongly opposed by Mr Torbay and other independents including the Member for Tamworth Peter Draper.

“Many people in regional areas are strongly opposed to electricity privatisation and yet the Government is making it the price they have to pay to see any major commitment to a Regional Infrastructure Fund and other initiatives,” Mr Torbay said.

“It is poor policy and an

inadequate response to the taskforce

recommendations.

“What riles me most is that rural and regional priorities are considered added extras rather than taking the precedence they deserve. When we presented the Taskforce Report, we were promised a response in the State Budget.”

Mr Torbay said it was disappointing the only response had been from Minister for Rural Affairs Tony Kelly who said the Government would be “making announcements about enhanced infrastructure investment in rural and regional NSW in the context of utilising proceeds from its electricity reforms”.

Mr Torbay’s Northern Tablelands electorate received a total of $124 million in targeted funds in the budget.

This included:

n $54 million in roads spending – including $7.6 million for the New England Highway Sunnyside Realignment;

n $6.6 million in health spending – including $2.8 million for the Bingara Hospital and $3.6 million for the Warialda Hospital;

n $6.2 million on new public housing units in Armidale;

n $643,000 for work on Copeton Dam;

n $780,000 for planning for the new Armidale Court House.