Labor candidate for Maitland Jenny Aitchison has welcomed the $9.9 million Levee commitment from the Resources for Regions project but says the State Government could have injected most of the funds into other projects around Maitland if the Abbott Government had honoured the agreement to provide $7 million towards the Levee project.
“Labor has made a commitment to honour the Resources for Regions funding put forward by the State Government at this election to ensure that local governments are not left hanging when it comes to major projects such as Maitland’s Levee project,” Jenny said.
Federal Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon added, “The previous Federal Labor Government committed $7 million towards the Levee project. If the Abbott Liberal Government had honoured this commitment, it would have required only $2.9 million from the State Government.”
“It is now clearer than ever that Tony Abbott’s decision to desert Maitland has cost the City dearly,” Joel said.
Jenny Aitchison added, “The Abbott Government has played politics with this issue and I am proud to say that Labor will not be holding back funds for the Levee project if we are elected to government on 28 March.”
“This is a terrible example of more cost shifting from the Liberal Federal Government to the Baird State Government, with Premier Baird trying to cover up for his mate Tony Abbott,” Jenny said.
The majority of the State Government’s funds could have been redirected into building a new school in Rutherford or fast-tracking the new Lower Hunter Hospital”, Jenny concluded.
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRS
SPOKESPERSON FOR COUNTRY CAUCUS
MEMBER FOR HUNTER
JENNY AITCHISON
LABOR CANDIDATE FOR MAITLAND
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