Queensland Liberal Senator, Russell Trood, has called for improved funding for Queensland’s regions after visiting the Barcoo and Diamantina Shires last week.

His tour of the outback included visits to resource, health and tourism facilities, inspection of cattle stations and a series of community meetings.

It was jointly organised by Barcoo Mayor, Bruce Scott and Diamantina Mayor, Robbie Dare.

“Local government representatives routinely contend that they are closest to the people but deprived of the power and resources to respond effectively to these needs,” Senator Trood said.

“Increasingly councils are subject to the burden of cost-shifting from other levels of government.”

“The reality is that there is a low correlation between Australia’s real-life urban and rural regions and the levels of government designed to serve them,” Senator Trood said.

Senator Trood found that improved communications technology, roads, housing and health services are the main issues concerning residents in the remote communities of Queensland’s south west.

The rising cost of living, including energy and grocery delivery, were also identified as challenges faced by the remote populations of the Barcoo and Diamantina Shires.

“Although the size of the remote population is relatively small, these areas are rich in farming, energy resources and tourism opportunities,” Senator Trood said.

“These communities are already benefiting from the work of the Remote Area Planning and Development Board but both the State and Commonwealth Governments could offer stronger support for its activities.”

“The idea that each of Australia’s levels of government are separate fiefdoms— autonomous in their decision making, separate in the management of their financial affairs, independent in the exercise of their responsibilities and in every other way removed from one another—is an old and thoroughly outdated view of the modern developed state,” Senator Trood said.

“Decisions should be taken, and responsibilities exercised, as close as possible to the citizens at the lowest level of competent authority,” Senator Trood said.