WA Labor appears to be allied with the Liberals over its opposition to the WA Nationals’ proposed $150 million Goldfields fund from Royalties for Regions.

This means the promise, made by leader Brendon Grylls at the party’s conference earlier this month, could be one of the key election issues for the seats of Kalgoorlie and Eyre.

The Goldfields Strategic Development Plan, also known as the Goldfields Revitalisation Fund, will direct funding to a number of projects in the region, but it has seemingly divided the Liberal-WA National Government.

Premier Colin Barnett has refused to comment on whether he would support the promise, while Eyre MP Graham Jacobs hit out at the pledge, saying it was a pre-election vote-buying exercise.

“For me, I thought the $150m needed a bit more rigour and identifying how we would spend it, rather than just saying ‘here it is guys … go and spend it how you like’,” Dr Jacobs said.

WA Labor shadow treasurer Ben Wyatt mirrored Dr Jacob’s comments, saying his party was not against funding for the Goldfields, but wanted it done in a sustainable and transparent manner.