Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas slams PM Malcolm Turnbull after NSW funding announcement
VICTORIAN Treasurer Tim Pallas has slammed “Prime Minister for Sydney” Malcolm Turnbull after a $100 million federal government cash splash on a transport hub in New South Wales.
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VICTORIAN Treasurer Tim Pallas has slammed “Prime Minister for Sydney” Malcolm Turnbull after a $100 million federal government cash splash on a transport hub in Bennelong.
Mr Turnbull made the mammoth pledge as the Liberal Party fights to hold onto the NSW seat and a governing majority.
But Mr Pallas hit out at Mr Turnbull and said he would be unable to find Victoria on a map.
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Victoria receives just 10 per cent of federal infrastructure funding, despite being home to more than a quarter of Australia’s population.
The funding discrepancies came under fire earlier this year when Mr Turnbull announced Victorian taxpayers would contribute hundreds of millions of dollars towards Sydney’s second airport.
NSW will also cash in with $11.54 billion from the federal government for roads and rail between 2016 and 2020.
Victoria will receive $3.1 billion over the same period.
Mr Pallas said the “Prime Minister for Sydney has struck again”.
“(He is) pork barrelling Bennelong in a desperate attempt to save his political bacon,” he said.
“Malcolm Turnbull is a one-trick pony — forever focusing on Sydney while short changing Victoria.”
Speaking on the funding announcement today, Mr Turnbull said the transport interchange was a “game-changer” for Sydney’s peak-hour commuters.
“We are delivering the transport infrastructure to ensure Sydney residents spend more time at home with their family and less time commuting,” he said.