Liberals Blackmailing Local Community on Albion Park Rail Bypass

Monday 16th March 2015

LIBERALS BLACKMAILING LOCAL COMMUNITY ON ALBION PARK RAIL BYPASS

The Labor Candidate for Kiama, Glenn Kolomeitz, has dismissed todays’ announcement by the Liberal Party of funding for the Albion Park Rail Bypass as nothing more than blackmail, and questioned whether the commitment includes on/off ramps at Albion Park township.

Mr Kolomeitz said “The Liberals’ announcement about the funding of an Albion Park Rail Bypass today is a desperate attempt by the Liberals to try to buy support for their privatisation agenda.

“Gareth Ward and his Liberal colleagues know that local voters are overwhelmingly against privatisation of the Electricity Network.

“They are trying to force voters to vote for Electricity privatisation by promising them that if they do, they will be rewarded with a bypass.

“$300 million of the funding announced for the Albion Park Bypass will come from the privatisation of the Electricty Network. If the Liberals fail to get the Electricity Privatisation through the Upper House, or are unable to find a buyer, the Albion Park Bypass will not be built.”

Mr Kolomeitz also questioned the shortfall of $50 million in funding announced by the Liberals. In December 2013, the Liberal Party costed the entire project including on and off ramps at Albion Park, at $600 million.

He asked : ” If Gareth Ward and the Liberals have recosted this project, is this at the expense of the on/off ramps in and out of the Albion Park township? ”

Mr Kolomeitz finished: “Voters in Albion Park are deeply suspicious of this announcement, 12 days out from election day.

“There are still many unanswered questions about this announcement, but what is clear is that a vote for Gareth Ward and his underfunded bypass is a vote for the privatisation of Electricity Assets.”

MEDIA CONTACTS: GLENN KOLOMEITZ 0402 343 407 or RICK GAINFORD 0439 965 354