Federal Member for Throsby Stephen Jones says he is outraged the Abbott Government is refusing to honour funding for projects under the Regional Development Australian Fund (RDAF) Round 5.

The Wingecarribee Shire Council was supposed to receive $263,297 in RDAF funding to upgrade Exeter Hall and add a new amenities building, said Jones.

This important regional project has now been axed.

By refusing to release this money into the community, Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss is denying the Southern Highlands regional economy the support they need to maintain local employment and create new jobs, said Jones.

Construction and fit-out of the hall would have provided 8 months employment to local builders and countless apprenticeship opportunities.

The increase in potential hiring of the venue for community events and celebrations would have created a slew of hospitality and tourism jobs too.

The Minister knows the Labor Government fully funded this project in the Budget.

The money is sitting there, waiting to provide these opportunities for local businesses and jobseekers. There is absolutely no reason why the project should not continue.

Im calling on Minister Truss to come clean with Wingecarribee Shire Council and the people of the Southern Highlands and explain why he is cutting their funding.