The Nationals have pledged to set up a regional Australian future fund worth $20 billion, if the coalition wins the May federal election.
But the party has denied the investment fund would be set up for pork barrelling in electorates it holds.
Nationals leader David Littleproud said the investment fund would be established to guarantee regional areas would not have to squabble over money from the federal government.
"We're always fighting in regional Australia to get that last mile of infrastructure spend that doesn't fit in the normal pots of money," he told ABC Radio on Thursday.
"This is just about making sure that we have that reliable amount of funding that's there year in, year out, and then we're not having to fight for it every year."
Under the fund, $1 billion would be set aside for investment in regional areas each year
The fund would get an initial $5 billion injection from the commonwealth, which the coalition would raise by scrapping Labor's $20 billion renewable energy infrastructure fund.
The rest would be funded from budget windfalls from uplifts in resource prices to build the fund over five years.
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said independent analysis would be used to determine how the money would be spent, rejecting claims it would be used to shore up support in areas the Nationals hold in parliament.
"It shouldn't go to seats that are just held by Liberal and National Party members, it should be about the nine million of us that don't live in capital cities," she told ABC TV.
"You don't have to go very far outside of our capital cities to see the degradation of our road network and that means every single Australian ends up paying more for their food, more for their goods because of the impact on our freight supply chain."
The coalition also plans to legislate the fund so that it can't be easily scrapped by future governments.
The funds would be distributed through a competitive grants process to not-for-profits to fill sectors where there is inadequate infrastructure or other gaps.
This could include upgrades, such as expanding a childcare centre, or supports, like boosting the number of regional Commonwealth-supported university placements.
The Nationals leader defended scrapping the renewable energy fund to pay to set up its regional investment scheme, saying those living outside cities needed its fair share of government money.
"I don't think that's a lot to ask our city counterparts, it's just about giving us the amenity of life, so that people will continue to contribute to our economy and come and live in regional Australia," Mr Littleproud said.
"This is a way to make sure it's funded for perpetuity, and it would give regional Australia that confidence and certainty into the future."
Meanwhile, the coalition has also committed $1.5 million to stop consumers from being "tricked" into buying plant-based meat products, if it wins government.
"In a cost-of-living crisis, lack of clarity under current labelling laws means families have been tricked into thinking they are buying 'cheap' meat products such as beef or chicken, when in reality they are plant-based," Mr Littleproud said.
The funding would be used to improve food labelling.
16°C