Hawke demands Government honours election commitment

The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke, has called on the Gillard Government to honour its commitments and make Northwest Sydney a priority for critically needed rail infrastructure funding.

“Billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money is being spent on rail infrastructure in our capital cities,” Mr Hawke said. “This was highlighted this week in the Governor General’s speech for the opening of the new Parliament when she outlined that $37 billion was being spent on transport infrastructure over six years to 2013-14.

“The Gillard Government must make Northwest Sydney a priority for funding. It must not contract the New South Wales Labor Government disease – promise a rail link before an election, then cancel the project after the votes have been counted.”

Mr Hawke took the opportunity in his first speech to the new Parliament to focus on our lack of transport infrastructure, condemn the failure of New South Wales Labor Government to fund vital funding, and urge the Gillard Government to meet its election promises.

“We desperately need rail infrastructure in Northwest Sydney,” Mr Hawke said.

“During the recent election campaign the Gillard Government made a commitment to jointly fund the Parramatta to Epping rail link with the New South Wales Government.

“It was important to immediately put on the record in this new Parliament that the residents of Northwest Sydney expect the Gillard Government to take our concerns seriously and to fully honour its election commitments.”

Mr Hawke said he intended to continuously hold the Gillard Government to account over its funding of infrastructure projects, and to also aggressively advocate for funding for a Northwest railway.

“There was much cynicism when the Prime Minister announced the Parramatta to Epping rail link – ten days before the election. The announcement took many in the New South Wales Government by surprise and some consider it was cobbled together in a rush to satisfy a political problem rather than assist residents in Northwest Sydney.

“We expect the Gillard Government to honour its commitments. We expect our fair share and more funding allocated to address our needs. During the term of this Government I will continue to demand better infrastructure for Northwest Sydney.”