Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong MP has slammed the Liberal Government for politicising station upgrades by committing to upgrades of Como and East Hills Stations, despite data showing a greater need for a lift and higher patronage at Macquarie Fields Station.
The latest revelations, contained in the NSW Auditor-General’s report handed down this week, ranks Macquarie Fields Station before both Como and East Hills in terms of need and patronage. Yet the Liberal Government has once again failed to prioritise a much-needed upgrade of Macquarie Fields Station, demonstrating bias towards stations in marginal seats ahead of the 23 March State Election.
Macquarie Fields Station ranks 34 on need for an accessibility upgrade, East Hills ranks 37 and Como 35. Of the three stations, Macquarie Fields has the highest patronage at 10,598 passengers per week. East Hills has 8,844 passengers per week and Como 8,160 passengers per week.
The Auditor-General’s report highlights that the State Government failed to provide documents explaining why several train stations were shortlisted for the next round of accessibility upgrades, despite them not being selected earlier because other stations were deemed a higher priority.
To view a copy of the Auditor-General’s report, visit https://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/pdf-downloads/Transport%20Access%20Program.pdf
Quotes attributable to Mr Chanthivong:
“The Liberal Government’s shameless political bias of station upgrades is deceitful, grossly unfair and totally incomprehensible.
“To ignore its own transport data and play favourites is not only wrong, it shows the Liberal’s total contempt for the people of south west Sydney.
“The Liberal Government is blatantly pork-barrelling and it makes a mockery of this Government’s whole Transport Access Program. We’ve had enough of the Liberal Government’s trickery and skulduggery. We’re sick and tired of being given a raw deal.
“Seventy steps at Macquarie Fields Station and it’s unacceptable that we have been overlooked yet again for a lift. Where’s our fair share?
“People are angry and frustrated with the Liberals’ under-handed antics, and trust me they’re looking forward to having their say at the ballot box.”
