Federal election 2019: Where Grayndler candidates stand on local issues
The Courier has asked where the candidates for Grayndler stand on local issues from WestConnex to the Western Harbour Tunnel to night-life on the Balmain peninsula
Crucial local issues can often be overlooked in federal election campaigns where party politics takes centre stage.
That is why the Courier has asked the candidates for Grayndler where they stand on these four important local issues.
WHERE THEY STAND ON …
1. Given that infrastructure has not kept up with development in the inner west, what is the most pressing local infrastructure need?
2. Do you support the Western Harbour Tunnel project and how can the project be delivered to minimise the impact on residents?
3. What can be done to help both day and night time businesses on the Balmain/Rozelle peninsula?
4. Has the pain from the WestConnex project been worth the gain that will come from reduced traffic and congestion?
JIM CASEY: THE GREENS
1. We need more investment in schools, parks, pools, libraries, hospitals, and public transport. Infrastructure has not kept up with development because the property and development industry buys favourable decision with the millions of donations they make to the federal Labor and Liberal/National parties. They make millions in profit while communities suffer.
2. More roads means more cars, making traffic worse and parking harder, increasing stress and costing us money. We need more affordable, frequent and reliable public transport.
3. Ditch the look out laws, invest in the creative arts and invest in more affordable, frequent and reliable public transport to make getting in and out of the peninsula easier.
4. Absolutely not. People’s homes have been damaged and lost, the air their children breath is more polluted. All for a private for profit toll road that won’t ease traffic and congestion.
ANTHONY ALBANESE: LABOR
1. When I was Transport Minister from 2007 — 2013 the Federal Labor Government invested more in urban public transport than all previous Commonwealth governments from federation until 2007 combined. If elected to Government we’ll take up where we left off by investing $3 billion in bringing forward the Metro West fast underground rail line, which will benefit those directly on the route as well as those that use the main western heavy rail line.
2. & 4. The reason I have taken issue with the WestConnex project on 48 occasions in the parliament is that it has been the template for how not to plan a infrastructure project. Because of bad planning, for a project that was originally about taking freight to the Port and people to the City, it has instead become a tollway to more roads, one of which is the NSW Government’s Western Harbour Tunnel. Federal Labor’s priority investments for Sydney do not include these tollways as our priority is the Metro West and the north / south railway line through Badgerys Creek Airport. The NSW Liberal Government’s consultation on their major road projects has not been fair dinkum, which has led to severe and negative impacts on the Inner West and the rest of Sydney.
3. One of the attractions that draws residents and visitors to the Peninsula is that it’s a vibrant and interesting place with great pubs, cafes and restaurants, I think we can build on that strength. As Shadow Minister for Cities and Tourism I am committed to establishing a national policy that will promote the liveability and cultural life of all local communities.
DEREK HENDERSON: LIBERAL
1. After 16 years of a state Labor government building no new infrastructure, The Berejiklian Government has had to play catch up. They’re delivering record investment across the city and Morrison Government recently announced that $7.3 billion is available for new infrastructure projects in NSW. Locally, people want more efficient public transport so reliance on cars is reduced. The Morrison Government is delivering congestion busting infrastructure so people will spend less time in their car, and more time with their families.
2. I support the fantastic infrastructure being delivered by the NSW State Liberal Government. If elected, I will work with the State Government to address the concerns of our community. While living through construction is difficult, I believe the Western Harbour Tunnel is worthwhile and once complete, will be of enormous benefit to residents.
3. I have been out on the Balmain/Rozelle peninsula. What I have heard from small businesses is that there’s too much red tape. To help reduce state government red tape, the Morrison Government will pay up to $300 million to states and territories that reduce the regulatory burden on small business. Furthermore, the Morrison Government has policies to give tax relief to small and family businesses which are the backbone of the economy and important to the peninsula, including: reducing the tax rate for small businesses to 25 per cent and expanding the instant asset write-off.
4. I believe so and reiterate that the Morrison Government is committed to delivering congestion busting infrastructure. We are also delivering our Roads to Recovery package, assisting the Inner West and Canterbury/Bankstown Councils with funds to reduce traffic and congestion.
MAKELLA MORELLO: SCIENCE PARTY
1. The most pressing issue is investing in transport infrastructure in a strategic and transparent way, instead of the ad hoc processes that have caused the current situation. Transportation infrastructure has failed to keep up with our growing economy. Merely building more roads will only increase bottlenecks. We need to look at multi-modal ways of allowing people to move, for example: autonomous vehicles, cycle lanes, and e-scooters.
2. Science Party policy is to optimise existing transport infrastructure to decrease transport times. I am not convinced of either the wisdom or the execution so far of the Western Harbour Tunnel project. State government must address the hundreds of concerns raised by residents during the 2018 consultation phase before proceeding with the project.
3. For a start, raise the rate of Newstart, recommended by the Council of Small Business. Although these are state issues, I support more late-night public transport and ending lockout laws to reinvigorate the night-life in Sydney.
4. I doubt it. As a Newtown resident I’m horrified at what has happened, and the end result will likely be more bottlenecks at each end. Perhaps it’s time to consider a congestion tax for cars entering the CBD instead of tolls on people avoiding the CBD.
PARIS KING-ORSBORN: UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY
1. No answer provided.
2. Don’t build the Western Harbour Tunnel, it’s a waste of money.
3. Cap landlords investment to make it more affordable for business services then provide free parking after 5pm
4. I didn’t support WestConnex and continue not to. Cannot comment as the money could have been better spent on light rail transport alternatives.
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