MINNS HAS SERIOUS QUESTIONS TO ANSWER OVER LABOR’S ILLAWARRA ELECTION PROMISES

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward says Chris Minns needs to come clean and admit that none of Labor’s Illawarra election commitments will start this term.

Mr Ward’s criticisms come ahead of Minns’ visit to the region.

“No start date for the Milton-Ulladulla Bypass, no start date for the M1 access ramps at Dapto, no start date for the East Nowra Sub-Arterial, no start date for a promised new school for Worrigee, no start date for the Nowra Bypass, no start date for maternity services or the delivery of an MRI at Milton Hospital, and the list goes on,” Mr Ward said.

“This comes on top of Chris Minns cancelling the Toolijooa Passing Loop rail project at a time that 80% of over 1,000 commuters surveyed feel dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the South Coast Rail line. And Minns still doesn’t have a deal with rail workers after months of disruption.

“Recently, Labor announced a flat-pack, Chinese owned, bus assembly plant at South Nowra that it tried to pass-off as manufacturing. However, the Daily Telegraph reports that the company, Foton Mobility Distribution could have a ‘high risk’ of links to slavery and child labour (see ‘Slavery concerns over NSW electric bus imports’ by Madeleine Bower on February 25).

“The only projects that are happening in our region right now are those funded by the former government that this government has tried to take the credit for.

“In opposition, Minns and Labor promised it would keep the Regional Seniors Travel Card, the Active Kids Rebate and the Creative Kids Rebate. All these programs have been cut or slashed.

“Housing approvals are at 12-year lows, business insolvencies are up at record highs, the Minns Government has launched more than 52 inquiries and has nothing to show for it.

“The Illawarra and South Coast are far worse off today under the Minns Labor Government,” Mr Ward concluded.

ENDS.