NSW Nationals leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro has accused Labor and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party of undermining progress being made in the Central West.
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Mr Barilaro reacted angrily to claims from both parties that the Nationals were at risk of losing seats at the 2019 election, in a similar fashion to their defeat at the 2016 Orange byelection.
“The Central West and regional NSW is thriving under the NSW Liberals and Nationals government,” Mr Barilaro said.
“In the last 12 months we have seen unprecedented jobs growth across the state, which has been driven in large part by regional NSW, with 62,000 jobs added in regional and remote communities.
“We have delivered record investment in regional infrastructure, with projects currently in planning, construction or completion tipping over the $16 billion mark this financial year alone.”
SFF MP and Member for Orange Phil Donato accused the Nationals of following the lead of their coalition partner the Liberals.
Opposition Leader Luke Foley said the $2.5 billion Sydney stadium plan would provide no benefit to Central West residents and his party would instead spend the money on schools, hospitals and TAFE.
Both parties were also quick to bring up the attempted greyhound ban and forced council mergers that damaged their popularity in the region in 2016, and have been widely blamed for the loss of Orange.
Mr Barilaro said his party had made mistakes but was working to address them.
“While this government is striving every day to improve the lives of people living in the Central West and regional NSW, the Labor Party and the Shooters continue to tear apart and undermine that progress,” the Deputy Premier said.
“Mr Donato’s comments show he has no idea about the enormous amount of work this government is doing in his backyard let alone the rest of regional NSW.
“This government has acknowledged the mistakes of the past, but rather than dwelling on them, we have instead opted to work tirelessly to earn back the trust of people living in the Central West.
“What we want to achieve is for people to look to the Central West, and to any part of regional NSW for that matter, and think ‘I could have a great life there’.”
He also accused Labor and the SFF of working together.
“What’s also clear from both Mr Foley and Mr Donato’s comments is that the alliance between Labor and the Shooters continues to be exploited,” Mr Barilaro said.
