Gillard Offers Western Sydney Motorway Funding With Conditions

Mar 04, 2013 Leave a Comment

On the first full day of her week-long campaign in western Sydney, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has promised funding for the western Sydney motorway network, provided the state government comes up with an acceptable business plan.

Speaking beside a noisy motorway with Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor MPs from western Sydney, Gillard stipulated several conditions for her government’s support for WestConnex project.

Gillard

She said the NSW government needed to ensure direct routes through the central business district and Port Botany, and ensure that freight can be taken directly from the M5 to Port Botany. She said existing roads should remain toll-free.

“I’ll make a funding offer on the day I see an appropriate plan,” she told reporters at the media conference.

Gillard was flanked by Labor MPs Chris Bowen (McMahon), David Bradbury (Lindsay), Jason Clare (Blaxland), Ed Husic (Chifley) and Michelle Rowland (Greenway).

  • Listen to Gillard’s media conference (27m) – transcript below

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  • Listen to comments from NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell

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Statement from Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Federal funding for Western Sydney Motorway

The Federal Government has committed to providing funds towards the Westconnex road project, if planning currently underway identifies a detailed business case and direct routes through to the CBD and Port Botany.

This is part of our commitment to support jobs and growth in Sydney.

This infrastructure commitment is also helping western and south-western Sydney residents to cut back on travel times and improve the quality of life they can enjoy with their families. [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 Federal Election, Audio2013, Gillard, Infrastructure Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Giving Substance To The Words

Nov 04, 2010

There are thirty-two new members of the 43rd Parliament, elected on August 21st. Three of them are returning after a voluntary or enforced absence. As a group they constitute one-fifth of the House of Representatives, a significant turnover and renewal of the lower house. Many of them will be there for years to come.

Maiden SpeechesOver the past month, I have made a point of watching the maiden, or first, speeches of these members. On the whole, it is difficult not to be impressed by these fledgling parliamentarians.

There has been much comment on the moving speech from the Western Australian Liberal, Ken Wyatt, the first indigenous member of the House, but others also delivered considered and thoughtful speeches.

Take Andrew Leigh, the member for Fraser in the ACT. His reputation as an economist and thinker preceded his election. In his speech, he spoke of the importance of education for the nation’s future, of “optimistic experimentation” and of rebuilding “a sense of trust between citizens and politicians”. Leigh’s book, “Disconnected”, has just been published. [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2010 Federal Election, A.L.P., Backbenchers, Democracy, Greens, Liberal Party, Maiden Speeches, Opinion, Political Words, The Nationals Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

First Speeches by Members of the 43rd Parliament

Sep 29, 2010

The 43rd Parliament met for the first time on Tuesday 28th September 2010.

First speeches by new members began the next day, the first day of normal business.

Audio of each speech will be added to this page as it becomes available. [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2010 Federal Election, Audio, Backbenchers, Maiden Speeches, Parliament Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,