NSW Transport Minister and Member for Bega Andrew Constance has unfortunately resorted to an unparliamentary style of speech in his latest media release. The Member for Bega's media release "expressed utter dismay at Labor's lies on their commitment to fund upgrades to the Princes Highway and called on the local Labor candidate to explain why their costings to the independent Parliamentary Budget Office, which is required for the election, fail to mention the Princes Highway."
Mr Constance's media release states “Independent costings released by the Parliamentary Budget Office show Labor's policy fail to mention the Princes Highway, whilst the Liberals costings detail various upgrades between Jervis Bay Road and Sussex Inlet Road, planning for the Milton Ulladulla bypass and commencement of the Moruya bypass. A Labor spokesperson has rejected the criticism "We said that we would match the government's funding commitment, and we will, whatever it is. The problem is that we don't know how much the government has actually hypothecated (editor: ‘dedicated’) to the Princes Highway." "Road funding is pooled, and provided to experts across different levels of government to prioritise spending across the state, unless funds are specifically hypothecated to a specific project.” "There is no money specifically hypothecated to the Princes Highway by either party in any of the costings.” “Mr Constance is insinuating that a reference in the footnotes to in the Coalitions costings to construction timelines amounts to 'mentioning' the Princes Highway; I think that he is the one who is stretching the truth." Mr Constance media release continues in its attack on Labor:
"It’s disgraceful in the first place that the Shadow Transport Minister attacked the government for wanting to fund the duplication of the Princes Highway to the Victorian border but he has been caught out with Leanne Atkinson lying to residents of the Far South Coast.
“The NSW Liberals submitted detailed costings to the Parliamentary Budget Office, outlining our plans to upgrade the Princes Highway over the forward estimates and beyond – Labor were required to do the same and didn’t.
"The Parliamentary Budget Office states in its costings of the Liberals & Nationals policy: The policy outlines construction timelines in the forward estimates for sections of the Princes Highway (Jervis Bay Road to Sussex Inlet Road and Moruya Bypass) and Great Western Highway (Mt Victoria to Hartley, Jenolan Caves Road to Forty Bends). The Medlow Bath upgrade, part of the Great Western Highway upgrades, is also assumed to start construction in 2022-23.
"Our plans secure the necessary funds to complete planning and detailed design on sections of the Princes Highway and commence construction in the next term of government.
"Why did Labor lie last week about their matched commitment when they were suppose to submit their costings. They should explain this to the community in light of the election on Saturday.
“We have committed in excess of $2 billion to fixing the highway and now we are duplicating it to the Victorian border." the Member for Bega said
“As part of that commitment we have allocated $306 million for the Moruya bypass,’ Andrew Constance said.
"The NSW Liberals have secured billions for the Princes Highway and delivered upgrades at Gerringong, Berry, South Nowra, Burrill Lake and Termeil Creek, Victoria Creek, Dignams Creek and work has commenced at Batemans Bay Bridge and Kings Highway intersection, Albion Park and between Berry and Bomaderry over the last eight years." In response, a Labor spokesperson said: “Labor has committed $1.22 billion in road funds over the forward estimates (2019-22), and will work with experts to prioritise the most in need of repair, upgrade, reseal, or replacement.” “If the Coalition is re-elected, they have allocated $614 million in funds over the same period." "We would certainly welcome Mr Constance to clarify exactly how much money has been hypothecated to the Princes Highway over the next three years" "Mr Constance may also be able to clarify when and how the $960 million announced on 6 March will be spent on the Princes Highway" The Labor spokesperson provided the information below, and has encouraged any Beagle readers who wish to evaluate Mr Constance claims to refer to the independent Parliamentary Budget Office costings: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/pbo/Pages/2019-NSW-Election.aspx Upgrades (new projects) The Coalition has committed to $439 million over the forwards estimates, "with the majority of works to be carried out outside the forward estimates. The PBO notes that funding for projects outside the forward estimates is yet to be allocated. https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/pbo/Documents/2019%20Coalition%20Election%20Policy%20Costings/Y051%20-%20Costing.pdf Labor has committed $675 million over the forwards to 'provide ongoing funding to support new state road infrastructure projects', but does not hypothecate any funding to any road project: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/pbo/Documents/2019%20ALP%20Election%20Policy%20Costings/B454%20-%20Costing.pdf Repairs (maintenance)The Coalition announced $500m for ongoing regional road maintenance, and the PBO has costed $175 million over the forwards (and $325m in out years). https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/pbo/Documents/2019%20Coalition%20Election%20Policy%20Costings/Y057%20-%20Costing.pdf Labor has announced $900 million for ongoing regional road maintenance, and the PBO has costed $545 million for the forwards (with $355m in out years) https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/pbo/Documents/2019%20ALP%20Election%20Policy%20Costings/B396%20-%20Costing.pdf
Editors Note: In a week were the country has been appalled of the results of hate speech we need to look at where it begins and begin to ask if the small hates are acceptable in the media then it is OK To say Labor lied is nastier way of revealing in the above media release that Labor was incorrect in its statement due to.... " At a Federal level another media release came in saying “You cannot trust Labor. The contracts for projects are underway and are being delivered by the Liberal and National Government – these are approved and in process – not promises.” “This is yet another example of Labor’s lies and misrepresentation – you can’t trust Labor on anything.” Is this the example we want from our leaders?
