Rob has been doing a fantatsic job for Port Macquarie as State member. The proof is in his funding allocation – $345 million this year as compared to the neighbouring seat (held by a National representative) which received only $96 million. Let’s take him to the top!

Monstar – you and I would no doubt agree that we need more honesty and transparency in government and less spin.

Unfortunately your comments would seem to encourage the latter , rather than the former.

Government expenditure is not based on personalities or electorates according to Treasurer Costa. Treasury says : “Decisions on spending allocations are not determined according to electoral boundaries. Rather, spending decisions on essential government goods and services are based on community needs and government priorities, which will change over time. Factors which determine spending allocations include demand for services, population and economic growth, changing demographics and technology.”

A very large proportion of the $339 million (on your calculations $345 million) spending in 2008-09 which happens to fall within the Port Macquarie electorate is for upgrade work to the Pacific Highway, which is long over due and has been previously deferred.

Indeed the median “electorate spend” for 2008-09 in electorates outside metropolitan areas is $129 million . If the Pacific Highway allocation is removed, and particularly having regard to the higher growth rate in the Port Macquarie electorate, the “spend” is not significantly different to other electorates.

Indeed by your logic – the member for Albury should be made Prime Minister because spending within the boundaries of that electorate are $410 million this year.

SO lets have less “spin” please and a deeper consideration of the real issues that really matter.