Labor’s latest list of languishing leaders has been described by Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea, as the Labor Government’s last-ditch emergency parachute in an effort to stop the State from spiralling further out of financial control.
“Premier Rees’ admission that the State is going backwards by $90 million a day, has dramatically highlighted the Government’s inability to manage the state’s finances,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Over the past 13 years, billions of dollars in unbudgeted revenue has been received by the Government, but there is little to show for it.
“A sceptical electorate continues to ask: Where has all the money gone?
“As the emergency parachute struggles to open in the storm-ridden financial clouds, the one silver lining could be the removal of Frank Sartor as Planning Minister,” Mr O’Dea said.
“In my media release last Tuesday, I predicted his dumping as Planning Minister.
“His removal will be welcomed by many, particularly those in the Ku-ring-gai Council area.
“Sartor’s arrogant and insensitive push for more new dwellings has caused great local concern. In particular, his appointment of a Planning Panel to override the democratically elected Local Council demonstrated contempt for local communities,” he said.
“I trust new Planning Minister Keneally proves more sensitive to local considerations, including our established environment.
“Ku-ring-gai should not be forced to take more than the agreed 10,000 new dwellings under the NSW Metropolitan Strategy,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Should the new Planning Minister’s approach not be more appropriate, she can be assured of a continuing storm of protest against insensitive development in the Ku-ring-gai area,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
