What Labor promised Blaxland during election

Jason Clare has been re-elected in the safe Labor seat of Blaxland with a reduced majority and now the election’s over, let’s look at what he promised the voters.

Blaxland Labor MP Jason Clare greets voters at Condell Park Public School on election day. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

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Despite a 4.7 swing away from Labor, the seat of Blaxland remains a ALP stronghold with Jason Clare being returned, more than 22,000 votes ahead of Liberal candidate Oz Guney.

Now the dust has settled on the Federal Election, The Express looks back at the promises made by the Opposition spokesman for trade, resources and Northern Australia during the election campaign.

Blaxland MP Jason Clare greets voters at Condell Park Public School on election day.

Mr Clare promised Western Sydney University’s planned Bankstown CBD vertical campus. would get a new world-class Digital Discovery Centre with a funding commitment of $7.2 million.

“I want to make sure that local kids can go to university in the heart of Bankstown and get the skills they need for the jobs of the future,” Mr Clare said during the campaign.

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Labor also promised to provide $900,000 towards upgrading industrial arts facilities at Sir Joseph Banks High School in Revesby, featuring a suite of specialised workspaces and hi-tech equipment such as a 3D printer, laser cutter and design software.

This would be in addition to is on top an extra $960,000 Sir Joseph Banks High School would receive if Labor was elected.

The Blaxland MP had also promised $350,000 to upgrade the home of netball in Bankstown, Deverall Park, including better toilets and change rooms.

Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour, Blaxland federal Labor MP Jason Clare and Labor Candidate for Banks Chris Gambian at Deverall Park netball courts in Bankstown to announce $350,000 in funding during the election.

During the election campaign, the Canterbury Bankstown Express also asked Mr Clare —

Where do you stand on the following issues? Here are Mr Clare’s responses

1. Sydenham to Bankstown Metro rail project

“The metro station should be underground. This will help fix the traffic problems in Bankstown and connect the north and south sides of the CBD. The council and the Chamber of Commerce have both called for this to happen. I urge the State Government to seriously look at this.”

2. Rebuilding of Bankstown Hospital at cost of $1.3 billion and where should it be built “There are a number of different potential locations. Our local community deserves a say. I urge the State Government to consult our local community on where they want the hospital to go.”

Jason Clare votes at Condell Park Public School. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

3. Greater Sydney Commission’s target of 13,250 homes for Canterbury Bankstown

“Our roads are logged and our schools are full. We need to fix that before more homes are built. That number should be reviewed and we certainly shouldn’t be forced to take on more development than other parts of Sydney.”

4. Road congestion - in particular Stacey St

“Stacey St is still one of the slowest and most congested roads in Australia. A small part has been widened, but the State Government has still not committed to widen Stacey St between the Hume Highway and Bankstown Central. The best solution would be an underpass at the intersection of Stacey St and the Hume Highway. RMS has designed it and costed it we just need the State Government to fund it.”

The late former prime minister Bob Hawke with Blaxland MP Jason Clare.

Speaking about Labor’s shock election loss Mr Clare said: “It’s really disappointing for all the true believers in the Labor Party in Bankstown and around Australia. There are so many important things we want to do to make Australia a better and fairer place.”

He said the party would live to fight another day and review what it did wrong.

The seat of Blaxland has only had four members since it was created in 1949 — all Labor. Blaxland covers Auburn, parts of Lidcombe, Berala, South Granville, Chester Hill, Bass Hill, Regents Park, Yagoona, Georges Hall, Milperra, Condell Park and parts of Bankstown.