Federal Labor must stop pork-barrelling on Sydney's transport needs

Reports that Federal Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, will not allow redirection of Federal funding from the Epping to Parramatta rail line to other Sydney projects, including a North-West rail line, is another example of the Gillard Government’s lack of commitment to the needs of Sydney, said the Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke.

“Sydney has been badly let down by the Rudd and now Gillard Government regarding transport infrastructure,” Mr Hawke said.

“Everyone in Sydney knows that the Epping to Parramatta ‘promise’ made by the Prime Minister at the last Federal Election campaign was simply pork-barrelling to try and save the seat of Bennelong for Labor. The announcement was certainly not based on what was best for transport in Sydney.”

“New South Wales Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell is right to stand up to Federal Labor’s bullying tactics and pork-barrelling on where to spend funding on critical rail infrastructure in Sydney.”

Mr Hawke also said he would be seeking the release of any information which supported the construction of an Epping to Parramatta line over the North-West rail line, or any other Sydney Infrastructure projects.

“Revelations that the New South Wales Department of Transport knew nothing of Federal Labor’s plans prior to the election announcement, highlights why Minister Albanese must release any advice he is relying on to fund the Epping to Parramatta line over the long awaited projects such as the North-West rail line.

“The Gillard Government is about to make the same mistake New South Wales Labor has made over the past sixteen years—committing to a major infrastructure project based not on sound planning criteria, but based on politics. People across Sydney are fed up with Labor’s short term decision making which has resulted in traffic chaos for commuters.

“Considering the New South Wales election is just seventy-five days away I call on Minister Albanese to immediately suspend any decision on rail infrastructure funding in Sydney until the next New South Wales Government is in place.”

“Barry O’Farrell is to be congratulated on standing up to the Federal Government’s attempts to bully New South Wales into another poor planning decision for Sydney.”