For no less than 82 days, the Deputy Prime Minister has refused to answer questions about the Federal Government’s plans for Macarthur.

The Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander MP, had used a mechanism of the Federal Parliament, tabling series of Questions in Writing to the Deputy Prime Minister in his capacity as the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, regarding funding for desperately needed infrastructure projects for our growing community.

For 82 days, Michael McCormack has refused to answer.

“The Government continues to demonstrate that they have no plan to kickstart Macarthur’s economy, by downright refusing to fund the projects that we desperately need,” said the Member for Macarthur.

“Ask the Government a question in Question Time, and all you get is political spin. They can’t spin their way out of a series of questions in black and white, so they are simply refusing to answer.”

The Member for Macarthur had sought information from the Government regarding their plans to provide infrastructure for Macarthur’s growing communities, including in suburbs such as Gregory Hills, Gledswood Hills, and Oran Park.

Dr Freelander raised concerns that the Government was prioritising expenditure purely in Liberal party voting electorates.

“The blatant pork-barrelling that we are seeing the Government engage in is beyond irresponsible. Our community is in desperate need of investment, and our local families and businesses deserve the same opportunities that are afforded to more affluent communities,” said Dr Freelander.

“South-Western Sydney is being starved of economic opportunity by the Federal and State Coalition Governments; they won’t even build desperately needed schools in our growing suburbs but continuously promote ‘JobMaker’ projects in Coalition seats.”

“It is time that the Government began governing in the interests of all Australians.”