29 March, 2024
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HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS LEFT UNSPENT IN DINE AND DISCOVER VOUCHERS

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With just days to go until Dine and Discover vouchers expire only 58% of the vouchers have been spent state-wide according to figures provided by the Department of Customer Service.
 
Questions lodged in Parliament by the Opposition reveal a city-country divide when it comes to take up of the vouchers – with 60 lowest take up figures being in rural councils.
 
$337 million in Dine and Discover vouchers remain unspent with the Central Coast LGA having the highest dollar value of vouchers unspent at around $14 million.
 
The LGA’s with the highest percentage of vouchers unredeemed are regional LGA’s with Central Darling  in the states far west topping the state with 72% of vouchers remaining unspent. The Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional LGA with 59% of vouchers worth $2.7million worth of vouchers remaining unspent.
 
When announcing that registrations for the scheme were open the then Treasurer, now Premier said “We’ve heard loud and clear just how tough it has been for businesses across NSW. This program will reinvigorate local economies and provide customers with hip pocket relief”.
 
The figures show these crucial stimulus funding has failed to reach regional communities in particular despite the cost of living continuing to rise.  
 
Ms Yasmin Catley MP – Shadow Minister for Customer Service and Digital said ‘Labor welcomed the investment in the Dine and Discover scheme to help revitalise local economies’.
 
‘But it is disappointing to see that despite the Premier saying the objective of this program was to reinvigorate local economies that money has failed to reach regional communities’.
 
The Hon. Mick Veitch MLC – Shadow Minister for Regional and Western NSW added ‘It is clear that rural NSW has lost out more than any other part of the State.
 
It is staggering to think that rural councils comprise the top 60 areas in the State have not been able to redeem the vouchers.
 
This is a disgrace and the National Party has yet again overseen the poor delivery of a program in rural and regional NSW’.

YASMIN CATLEY MP
LABOR MEMBER FOR SWANSEA
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DIGITAL
 
MICK VEITCH MLC
SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL AND WESTERN NSW

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