Ballina MP hits out over State Government advertising
Ballina MP and Shadow Minister for North Coast Don Page today slammed the NSW Labor Government for wasting $1 billion of taxpayers’ money on political advertising while vital infrastructure projects on the North Coast remain unfunded.
Mr Page said the $1 billion spent on ‘community messages’ over the past 12 years could have funded the construction of the Alstonville Bypass, the upgrade of Lismore, Ballina and Byron Bay hospitals and put trains back on the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line, among other projects.
“This Labor Government has squandered $1 billion on self-promotion labelled as ‘community messages’ while communities continue to wait years for important health, road and transport infrastructure,” Mr Page said.
“It is simply unacceptable that the second and third stages of the Lismore Base upgrade have not been funded, yet this Government has spent on average $95 million a year on advertising.
“This Government also refuses to fund the construction of the Alstonville Bypass which could be completed for roughly half the cost of the Government’s yearly advertising bill.
“Adding insult to injury is the fact the NSW Labor Government has refused to put trains back on the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line without Federal Government funding. It’s clear the NSW Government has funding available, but has chosen to give its own self-promotion more importance.
“This is just further proof this Labor Government’s priorities are completely misguided.
“This Labor Government is more interested in trying to make itself look good than addressing the infrastructure needs of the people of NSW.”
December 4th, 2006 at 4:09 pm
It really does make you sick and the Federal government is no better.