[Greens-Media] Albanese matches O'Farrell's tunnel vision with $1.8billion for 'back of the envelope' Westconnex

[Peter Stahel]

Albanese matches O'Farrell's tunnel vision with $1.8billion for 'back
of the envelope' Westconnex

 Greens MP and transport spokesperson Cate Faehrmann says reports the Federal
government will commit up to $1.8 billion on the WestConnex motorway
indicates Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese has the same
‘tunnel vision’ when it comes to Sydney's transport solutions as Nick
Greiner and Barry O’Farrell.

"Every dollar matters in this budget, yet today we hear that Anthony
Albanese is happy to throw $1.8 billion towards Westconnex which has been
written on the back of an envelope by Nick Greiner and his mates in the
tollroad business," said Ms Faehrmann.

"It has been committed to by the state government with scant traffic
modelling or no business case being undertaken to justify it. Now we have
the federal government falling over themselves to throw money at it too.

“The absolutely last thing Sydney needs is another toll road. But Anthony
Albanese is happy to throw billions at one that will tear a path through
suburbs, increase pollution and smoke stacks in residential streets and do
nothing to reduce congestion in the long term.

 “The fact that the federal government is also willing to support this before
there is even a proper business case or a final route planned is beyond
logic. Sydney is crying out for investment in congestion busting public
transport yet both Labor and Liberal state governments are prioritising
tunnels and tolls over and over again. Now Albo is no different.

"The federal government's insistence that Westconnex not be funded by tolls
will see the NSW taxpayer have to front up with the outstanding balance of
$10 billion. Sydneysiders want their taxes invested in world-class public
transport, not more motorways. New motorways have been proven without fail
to become congested car parks within a few short years from opening."

“The Infrastructure Minister will be helping to guarantee traffic gridlock
when he should be standing up to the poorly planned tunnel vision propagated
by the Liberals in NSW," said Ms Faehrmann.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727