In state parliament on Wednesday, state MPs Shelley Hancock and Gareth Ward swiped back at Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis for pulling a “cheap political stunt” earlier in the day.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mrs Sudmalis launched a campaign in a bid to fast-track Roads and Maritime Services bridge project costings, just three weeks after pledging to work together with state MPs.
Referencing the road toll south of Nowra on the Princes Highway, and serious need for road improvements, Mrs Hancock and Mr Ward condemned their federal counterpart for political point-scoring in a time where real action is needed.
A matter of public importance was raised at state parliament, where they called for bipartisan support for road funding, and called on the federal government to make a contribution.
“One of the reasons I stood for parliament was to fix the Princes Highway,” Mr Ward said.
“At the outset I knew our community wanted leadership.
“We have seen leadership at the state level, we have committed to spending more than $2 billion.
“The federal government has committed just five per cent of this.
“The community wants more than cheap political stunts, they want real leadership.”
Mrs Hancock said they had backing from emergency services personnel.
“The time for games, stunts, rallies is now over,” Mrs Hancock said.
“These fatalities have shaken my community to its core.
“Last Sunday I was welcomed to what is normally a closed meeting for emergency services personnel to support each other.
“We have had enough.
“They said state government has contributed a lot of money to the Princes Highway, they were telling me, it’s now time for federal government to contribute something.”
Member for Wollongong Paul Scully chimed in.
“Funding for the Princes Highway regularly features in news reports, and these reports regularly feature deaths.
“No one likes to see deaths on our roads, the carnage that can occur.
“Our emergency service professionals all too often have to attend motor vehicle accidents, they have to clean up not only the physical mess, but the emotional trauma.
“Recent commencement of road safety upgrades have been a welcomed start, but it’s not a solution or the only fix.”
Mr Ward publicly thanked South Coast Register and Milton Ulladulla Times editor John Hanscombe for mobilising news editors in the area to campaign for Princes Highway upgrades.
