“Cut and cancel culture”: Federal MP launches scathing attack on Metro West delay

NSW Senator Maria Kovacic has blasted the Minns government for questions over the future of a “once in a generation” infrastructure project in Western Sydney. Should the $25bn Metro West go ahead?

A “cut and cancel culture” from state and federal Labor governments has seen the “once in a century” Metro West project left in limbo, a NSW senator has claimed in a scathing speech to parliament.

Liberal Senator and Parramatta businesswoman Maria Kovacic slammed the Labor state government‘s lack of clarity on the future of the metro project that was going to connect Parramatta to Sydney CBD as a ”nightmare”.

“I am disappointed that there’s now doubt over the future of this critical project. Doubt which has shaken the confidence of every Western Sydney resident and businesses who were set to benefit from this once in a generation project,” she told federal parliament.

“State and federal Labor governments bank on the votes of Western Sydney residents yet abandon them when they enter office.”

Ms Kovacic pointed to Parramatta being the fourth busiest train station in Sydney, catering to 1.8m people in just June, as the reason why the costly project should persist.

Senator Maria Kovacic. Picture: John Grainger

“If Metro West is cancelled or delayed it will stall the growth and opportunity of Western Sydney and continue to force the residents onto toll roads or into heavy traffic,” she said.

“Labor’s cut and cancel culture will leave NSW residents without the public transport infrastructure they urgently need to connect them to their home, small business or workplace.”

Ms Kovacic concluded the speech by calling on the NSW Labor government to commit to building Metro West.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has labelled the Metro West project as being struck with “extreme cost creep”, and signalled there would be “big calls” in regards to the project.

“The big thing here is to make sure that we‘re delivering on the promises that we took to the election in March of this year, and that we’ve got a responsible infrastructure program for the state,” Mr Minns told 2SM.

“And that does mean big calls when it comes to South West Metro and Metro West.”

The project is now forecast to cost more than $25b — almost $10b above its original budget.