[Greens-Media] Greens formally request suspension of WestConnex funding

[Newman, Freya (Sen L. Rhiannon)]

MEDIA RELEASE
31 May 2016

Greens formally request suspension of WestConnex funding

Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon and Greens candidate for Grayndler Jim Casey have criticised Labor's two-faced attitude towards the WestConnex project.

Greens candidate for Grayndler Jim Casey said, "WestConnex is a major problem for the communities of Haberfield, Birchgrove, Balmain, Marrickville, Leichhardt, Annandale, Glebe and Petersham to name just a few.

"It is completely unacceptable for Labor to leave these communities guessing as to whether their homes will be destroyed, play fields lost and air fouled by this private tollway."

"Labor needs to come clean and tell these communities whether they back this thing, and if so, whose homes are going to be destroyed, which playgrounds are going to be lost and how are they planning to manage the terrible pollution created by this thing.

"The communities deserve nothing less than the truth, not more weasel words and fudging the issue.

Greens NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon said "It took 13 days for Albanese's weasel words on WestConnex to be called out.

"While Anthony Albanese is telling the community "not one dollar from the federal Labor government" will go towards WestConnex, Shorten's message yesterday was clear as day: Labor support WestConnex and won't 'repudiate any contracts, full stop'.

"Labor are pretending their hands are tied on this. The fact is that $2.3b is due to be paid after the election and Minister Fletcher has confirmed that whether the grant funding is paid is up to the government of the day.

"Today Senator Janet Rice and I have written to Treasurer Scott Morrison and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester to request that any future grant and loan payments are suspended until the ANAO complete their audit.

"We don't see any reason why the Labor Party cannot support us on this, if their concern about the project's funding, planning and construction is genuine.


Media contact:

Lee Rhiannon - Freya Newman 0411 669 022
Jim Casey - Julie Macken 0400 925 217