Nationals Member for Flynn, Ken ODowd, must explain why he supports cuts to regional Universities including a $30 million cut over four years to CQ University, with a campus based locally in Gladstone.

Visiting CQ University today, Labors Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Stephen Jones, and Senator for Queensland, Chris Ketter, said the Turnbull Governments $3.8 billion university funding cuts were a body-blow to regional Universities and the local communities they support.

Regional Universities are a key employer, educator and driver of economic growth in regional Australia. They are vital institutions in towns and cities like Gladstone.

It beggars belief that Ken ODowd and the National Party say they are standing up for regional Queensland when they are supporting these cuts in Canberra.

At a time when we need to be working towards transitioning the local economy and supporting jobs and new investment, the Turnbull Government is putting all that at risk with their short-sighted funding cuts.

Ken ODowd needs to explain why he supports this $30 million cut to CQ University which will have a very real impact on the local community.

Local residents deserve better from their representatives. Central Queensland deserves better.

Labor is standing against these cuts because we know the benefit regional Universities bring to local communities.

Labor will always stand up for regional Australia. The question is why wont Ken ODowd?