AWattle Range Council elected member has strongly criticised the State Government for its spending on the AFL Gather Round which brought all 18 teams to South Australia last month.

Councillor John Drew told the May monthly council meeting that millions were spent on the footballers as well as “influencers”.

“I am usually quite mild but this has got me hot under the collar,” Cr Drew said.

“The regions are hard done by.

“It is about blinking time there is funding for regional roads.

“You can insert another word for blinking.”

Earlier in the meeting, Cr Drew also questioned the funding priorities of a local philanthropic organisation which had sent a delegation to the meeting to seek ongoing financial support from the council.

Cr Drew said the philanthropic organisation could do more for the likes of students who come to school without breakfast.

“There are battlers out there,” Cr Drew said.

“Some of the (funded) projects are not stand-outs compared to disadvantaged kids.”