The track record of the two major parties in Port Stephens was front and centre this week, with Labor accusing the government of “four years of neglect” while the Liberals were quick to fire back with a list of successes.
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At an announcement on Wednesday to reinstate the Hunter ministry which was scraped by the Liberals in 2015 in favour of a parliamentary secretary’s office, Labor MP Kate Washington said the election would come down to strong local representation.
“If we had strong representation we would not have had the Mambo wetlands sold off, and we would have seen some movement on Nelson Bay Road duplication and Medowie high school,” said Ms Washington during a visit from her ALP colleague and Shadow Minister for the Illawarra, Ryan Park.
The Port’s Liberal parliamentary secretary Scot MacDonald said is was not the title that was important, but the calibre of the person and whether the government treats the region seriously.
“We saw under Labor a complete disinterest and under investment in the Hunter – across transport, revitalisation, schools and hospitals. I’d expect that to continue if the ALP were elected. I am proud of the record of delivery under the Liberals.”
Ms Washington said that under a Labor government she would provide a strong voice for Australia’s leading regional economy. “We need someone who lives locally, is deeply connected to the Hunter and who’s focused on schools and hospitals, not Sydney sporting stadiums.”