The Federal Opposition says local government infrastructure funding should have been linked to performance standards to ensure spending efficiency

THE FEDERAL opposition says the Government should have used it infrastructure package to improve local government spending efficiency.

The Opposition says the $300m infrastructure package should have been linked to performance standards.

Every shire and council in Australia will receive at least $100,000 from the Federal Government to spend on upgrades.

The Opposition claims local government regulations need to be improved and some standardisation must occur to ensure the money is well spent. It says standards for construction for road works differ from one council to the next.

The Government claims the purpose of this action is to build local infrastructure and support local economies and jobs during the global financial crisis. It says it is committed to consulting properly with councils to give local governments’ constitutional recognition.