Federal election 2025: Rick Wilson spruiks Coalition's promise to create $20b Regional Australia Future Fund

The Coalition has promised to create a perpetual fund for regional infrastructure and services in what O’Connor incumbent Rick Wilson has labelled a “historic moment” for rural Australians. They announced a commitment to the Regional Australia Future Fund on Thursday, if the Liberals/Nationals win government on May 3. The money would serve as a supplemental pool to fund roads, healthcare, childcare, tourism, business, communication networks, and community infrastructure and industries. Kickstarted with $1 billion deposit allocated for in the budget, the fund would be financed through commodity windfall receipts — unexpected profits from resources — and topped up annually with 80 per cent of windfall dividends. Nationals leader David Littleproud estimates it would grow to $20 billion. Mr Wilson said the promise, which would be legislated in perpetuity if the Coalition is elected, shows the parties’ commitment to putting the regions first and leaving a “legacy for future generations”. “Once established the fund will invest a fair share of the profits created through the hard work of regional Australians back into my electorate of O’Connor,” he said. “It means we don’t have to fight for funding shortfalls to provide infrastructure in regional areas. “The fund will deliver sustainable long-term funding to tackle challenges that hold back regional communities and invest in building the long-term economic foundations of regional Australia to address future challenges.” The RAFF is one of two funds promised by the Coalition, the other being the Future Generations Fund which is earmarked to pay down debt. The long-term Liberal MP said the funding stream would “future-proof” the regional Australians who make up roughly a third of the country’s population. “This will give confidence to regional communities, by investing in their economic future over coming decades, not just each electoral cycle,” Mr Wilson said. “Geography should not be a determinant of success. Families and businesses in O’Connor contribute significantly to our national story and economy. “This fund will ensure towns such as Esperance, Collie, Albany, Kalgoorlie, Manjimup and everywhere in between can take advantage of opportunities and overcome the challenges that the coming decades bring.”