Bushfire impacted communities in Eden-Monaro have been left out of this week’s regional investment package announced by the Deputy Prime Minister.

Michael McCormack yesterday announced $100 million for Regional Recovery Partnerships to drive recovery across 10 selected regions over the next two years.

While I am happy to see the Snowy Mountains included, the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla and Snowy Valleys all appear to have missed out.

Residents in these hard-hit communities are shaking their head.

It is extraordinary to think that towns like Batlow, Cobargo, Kiah, and Nerrigundah aren’t eligible for this funding boost.

We need our fair share; this just feels like the government is picking favourites again.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the 10 regions had been chosen because “they are regions whose economies have experienced the brunt of natural events such as bushfires, or COVID-19, drought as well.”

Eden-Monaro bore the brunt of the Black Summer bushfires. The Morrison Government must explain to our bushfire ravaged communities why they are missing out on this much-needed support.

Labor wants to back the regions to grow and succeed, that means investing in roads, rail and infrastructure across the nation.

Instead, this announcement shows the Morrison Government is once again picking favourites and leaving regions across Australia behind.