LABOR’S HEARTSTOPPER: LOCAL CLUBS CUT OUT FROM SPORT DEFIB GRANT PROGRAM

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has accused the NSW Minns Labor Government of putting lives at risk by changing the criteria for the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program, which renders clubs in his electorate ineligible.

“It’s pork barrelling. Labor electorates are covered but Kiama has been cut out. Labor are putting lives at risk by including some areas but cutting others. What about an absolute disgrace,” Mr Ward said.

“I call on the Health Minister, who is also the Minister for the Illawarra, to explain this decision. Does he agree that vital lifesaving supports should depend on your postcode? This is appalling class warfare from the NSW Labor Government.

“The NSW Minns Labor Government love picking winners. The fact that they are putting politics before lives is just reprehensible.

“I have always ensured our region got its fair share of funding, regardless of postcode or political representation. But that’s not the Labor way.

“This program was established by the previous government to save lives, and Chris Minns and Labor have decided that political point scoring and pork-barrelling is more important than saving the lives of those who use our sporting fields.

“Many clubs in the Kiama electorate are being denied the ability to apply for life-saving defibrillators which is disgraceful, and I will be raising this issue in the next year Parliament,” Mr Ward concluded.