Regional funding a 'sleeper issue' that could end in rare fight on Labor conference floor
The Australian Labor Party is facing internal tension over a proposal to increase local government funding to 1% of Commonwealth revenue. Party figures warn that failing to address regional service frustrations is driving voters toward the One Nation party.
Why it matters
This highlights how local infrastructure funding can become a significant political wedge issue that impacts national election outcomes.
Anthony Albanese speaks at the Labor national conference in Adelaide. ( ABC News: Matt Roberts )
Labor has cast One Nation as the party's key political threat amid a warning that regional frustration with local services is feeding One Nation's rise.
A push to lift council funding is shaping as the biggest unresolved policy fight of the ALP National Conference, with the issue being linked to voter "frustration".
Negotiations on the funding issue as well as potential amendments to the Labor draft platform on gambling reform and Gaza are continuing.
Link copied Share Share article A stoush over local council funding could end in a rare showdown on the Labor conference floor amid a warning the "sleeper issue" is central to the frustration driving regional voters to One Nation.
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