Page calls for a Minister for the North Coast
The re-elected NSW Labor Government’s refusal to appoint a Minister for the North Coast shows Labor has learnt nothing from the election result in this area, Shadow Minister for North Coast Don Page said today.
Mr Page said that despite a large swing against Labor in North Coast electorates in the March 24 election, including the loss of the seat of Tweed to the Nationals, the NSW Iemma Government continued to ignore this area.
“In all North Coast seats there was a significant swing away from Labor, with a 5.1 per cent swing to the Nationals in Ballina, 7.1 per cent to the Nationals in Tweed, 2.3 per cent to the Nationals in Lismore, 5.6 per cent to the Nationals in Coffs Harbour, and 6.5 per cent to the Nationals in Clarence,” Mr Page said.
“The Labor Government has a Minister for the Illawarra, the Hunter, the Central Coast, Redfern-Waterloo and Western Sydney, yet still the North Coast is being overlooked despite the voters of the North Coast sending Labor a clear message at election time.
“The North Coast is experiencing rapid population growth and as a result has special needs in terms of the provision of infrastructure and services.
“We need someone around the Cabinet table who understands those needs.
“The NSW Coalition’s policy was to appoint a Minister for the North Coast to give this area the attention it needs and deserves.
“I call on the NSW Premier Morris Iemma to appoint a Minister for the North Coast to ensure this area receives specialised attention.”
