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MEDIA RELEASES NATIONAL PARTY ABANDONS MURRURUNDI TUNNEL PROMISE Independent candidate for the seat of Tamworth in the forthcoming NSW State election Peter Draper is astounded by NSW National Party Leader George Souris's backflip on his guarantee that the Coalition would live up to promises to construct the Ardglen Tunnel through the Murrurundi Ranges. Mr Souris recently announced on ABC Radio Newcastle that he would guarantee a Coalition Government would build a new tunnel through the Murrurundi Range. Mr Souris was quoted as saying: "The Coalition intends to fulfil the promise made during the Tamworth by-election over a year ago to complete the new tunnel for the railway at Ardglen near Murrurundi." National Party Member for Tamworth John Cull made much of this announcement on various local media outlets, claiming that the project would be certain to proceed under the Coalition. Just 5 hours after this new promise was made, Mr Souris performed a classic Coalition backflip when asked about the commitment by an AAP journalist in Sydney. Mr Souris was then quoted on the Murrurundi promise as saying he only meant that a feasibility study would be undertaken: "It is not a $200 million commitment although ultimately, eventually I'm sure it will be beyond the first four years we would like to see the tunnel constructed there." Mr Draper cannot believe the hypocrisy exhibited by the National Party leadership over this important infrastructure proposal. "The National Party promised the electorate of Tamworth that the Tunnel would be constructed during the by-election in which Mr Cull was elected," said Mr Draper. "Mr Cull publicly promised the tunnel as part of the platform for his original success, and after it was shelved, he has once again desperately grasped the next Souris promise and publicised it widely." "This is yet another example of National Party rhetoric over reality. During the 2001 by-election the National Party promised Namoi Valley irrigators $40m in compensation, yet as soon as Mr Cull was elected they walked away from the commitment. This year they are again making the same hollow promises." "The National Party promised to abolish Native Vegetation legislation in the 1999 election, yet as soon as the election was over they supported it in Parliament. This year they once are again promising to abolish the legislation. How can they possibly be believed?" "The National Party appears to have lost sight of how important it is to support projects of regional significance in rural electorates. I believe it is critical that all Party's recognise that in the current depressed rural economy, infrastructure investment would be best made in country electorates to assist those communities affected by drought. The National Party in particular need to detach themselves from the Liberals hip pocket, and focus on the importance of rural electorates." |