18th February, 2025.
Firstly let me say I understand the function of the Public Interest Debate, usually for things that do matter but occasionally a time for team Blue over this way to have a go at team Red over that way.
The thing is Speaker, I don’t see it this way. The Public Interest Debate should be used today to talk about current issues pressing on NSW:
the antisemitism;
the public transport debacle;
the lack of infrastructure in growth areas and what to do to reverse it;
the crime that plagues our youth in the regions;
the water usage rights that are at risk;
Or even the lack of specialist workers that we have in our state.
Instead we have to sit here and debate this, Western Sydney Infrastructure. Well we need it and both parties have failed to deliver it. Getting things on the budget paper like the Picton Bypass and working with the Government is what achieves things. There is no debate to be had and certainly no political party should be claiming a victory here.
We have developments that are pre-existing for decades and still they await development. Take Wilton, it started development prior to much of northern Camden, now known as the seat of Leppington.
What do the Labor and Liberal parties have to say to those people who have sat waiting for 20 years for the promised jobs and connectivity. What do you both think that they would think of this debate? Because I tell you what, the more you go on like this, it’s more reason to vote independent.
I simply can't vote for or against or that one party has done better than the other.
The way I see it is that there is no debate. It should be a statement. There is a lack of infrastructure in Western Sydney. Full stop. You dont even need to choose all of it, just one thing, hospital, high school, freeway, police command, TAFE.. anything. It's all missing, there's nothing to debate!
I look forward to abstaining from this attempt at a debate and hope in future we get more Public Interest Debates that actually are in the interest of the public and see an outcome we can all hang our hats on.