The Baird Government may be boasting it brought down a surplus budget on Tuesday, but the Member for Macquarie Fields, Anoulack Chanthivong, says there was nothing in it for the people in his electorate.
Mr Chanthivong says he returned to his electorate from State Budget Week with an empty shopping basket, clearly highlighting the next to zero spend on infrastructure and projects in his electorate.
“The Budget doesn’t include a single dollar for vital projects, such as the upgrade to Macquarie Fields Station or more commuter railway parking,’’ Mr Chanthivong said.
“This is despite the billions of dollars the Baird Government has been raking in from stamp duty through property transactions,” Mr Chanthivong said.
“On top of the closure of the motor registry offices in Ingleburn and Campbelltown, it is clear that the Baird Government simply doesn’t care about our needs.”
Mr Chanthivong said his electorate deserved better and were fed up of being ignored.
“Be assured that I will continue to fight for our fair share, and I will hold the Government to account for their neglect.
“We demand better. Not happy, Premier,” Mr Chanthivong said.
In late 2015, the Macquarie Fields MP penned a wish-list to Santa in complete frustration at Premier Baird for overlooking the electorate for so long.
At the time, Mr Chanthivong wrote:
“Dear Santa, I gave up on Premier Baird delivering my wish-list, so I’m wondering if you might be able to help?
“I don’t need a shiny new car or another pair of socks.
“I just want my electorate of Macquarie Fields to receive its fair share.”
Six months later, says Mr Chanthivong, he and his electorate are still waiting for the Premier – and Minister for Western Sydney – to deliver.
“I suspect Christmas will roll around again and we’ll still be waiting for Premier Baird to give us our fair share,’’ Mr Chanthivong said.
“The complete lack of regard for my community’s needs is insulting,” Mr Chanthivong said.
