Transcript - Sky News with Holly Stearnes
MELISSA MCINTOSH MPÂ
SHADOW MINISTER FOR ENERGY AFFORABILITYÂ
SHADOW MINISTER FOR WESTERN SYDNEYÂ
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LINDSAYÂ
Monday, 20 January 2025Â
Subject: Fifteenth Avenue upgrade; Western Sydney infrastructure; Western Sydney Airport; Western Sydney International Airport.Â
Live on Sky News with Holly Stearnes
Holly Stearnes
The Prime Minister has announced a billion dollar cash injection into road infrastructure in Western Sydney. The government plans to upgrade Fifteenth Avenue in Liverpool, a crucial road which connects to the Western Sydney International Airport. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns will split the cost and invest $500 million to cover the project.
Joining me live is Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, Melissa McIntosh. Thank you for your time. The government says this is a game changer. What do you say to that?
Melissa McIntosh
Well, we've always known as a Coalition how important this road is for the future of Western Sydney. That's why immediately after the Prime Minister's announcement yesterday, Peter Dutton announced that the Coalition would also invest $500 million into this road. But this is not news for us. The Morrison government made an investment when we were in power to have a business case for the upgrade of this road.
Unfortunately, since Labor has come into office, they cut that funding. They haven't only cut funding for this road, they cut it right across Western Sydney. Billions of dollars worth of funding. So yesterday, when the Prime Minister came out and made this announcement, he was hoodwinking Western Sydney residents once again, or he was trying to.
They cut the funding, They've reinstated the funding, but they're reinstating it late. We have an international airport opening in one year's time. This road behind me, which is congested now, full of potholes, is going to be a major freight road for that airport. And the Prime Minister's announcement yesterday was clear that this road won't be up and going until the 2030s.
Meanwhile, people are going to have to keep experiencing congestion. It's not fair for the people of Western Sydney.
Holly Stearnes
I mean, it's a long project here, no doubt about that. And as you mentioned there, the international airport is due to open in a year and that's a major concern there. Also, I guess the government talks here about it opening job growth and economic opportunities. Do you agree with that? And does the Coalition. I guess, support that concept here?
And I guess as well, additional people are expected to be living in that Fifteenth Avenue area by 2040 or so. This will also help to relieve that pressure, too. Do you agree?
Melissa McIntosh
The Coalition government is the government that funded the construction of Western Sydney International Airport because we know the importance of the opportunities that will come with the airport when it comes to jobs for local people. People won't have to commute out of the area for a good job. That's the dream of Western Sydney International Airport.
And also with that, as you said, does come pressure on infrastructure. With population growth. Right now, this road behind me cannot stand the increase in population to come. It can't stand the population that is here now. I drove here from Penrith this morning and I had to avoid potholes. So could you imagine that?
You've got cars avoiding potholes today, yet in a year's time you're going to have major freight driving through roads like this on potholes. So, the Prime Minister's announcement is all well and good. We do need to have this investment into this road. That's why we straightaway said we would also invest into it.
But he had that opportunity to make that announcement when he came into office. Instead, Catherine King announced she would cut funding to the business case for this road. There was a panel put together, an expert panel, including of locals and of university professors, that said this road needed to be upgraded.
The Albanese Labor government ignored that advice, cut the funding. And as I said, they're pretty much hoodwinking the people of Western Sydney expecting us to be grateful for something that should have already been happening.
Holly Stearnes
And, I mean, it's a really big price tag to do so here. There's no doubt about that. But yet it's another major cash, cash splash ahead of the federal election. It's hard to ignore all of these promises from the government leading into the election, especially when people are hurting so much at the moment. Is that a concern for you?
Melissa McIntosh
Oh, of course. And I'm standing in the heart of Western Sydney. My seat is a seat in Penrith where people are really doing it tough right now. So, it is right for people to question any government spending and we want to make sure that that does not increase inflation as well. People are hanging out for a rate cut in the near future to take that pressure off those mortgages that people are struggling to pay.
We've just gone through Christmas where people may have spent a little bit more and they're feeling that pressure right now. But as you can see, this road behind me is a road that is in great need of investment in upgrading. We've got Sam Kayal, who is our candidate for the seat of Werriwa.
He’s been fighting really hard with the community here. There's been a petition that's been run by Liverpool Council to get this road upgraded. So, it is actually something that the community desperately needs here in Werriwa. It's just that the Albanese Labor government is so slow to respond. It looks like they're only responding now because there's an election around the corner.
Holly Stearnes
And it seems that it's going to be a really big issue in about a year's time as well. When it actually comes down to it, too. We can see how busy it is there behind you. And you're struggling to hear us, too. But we, we really appreciate your time today. Thank you for joining us.
Melissa McIntosh
Thanks very much.Â
Do you like this post?
Latest
Media release - Labor's NBN bill a distraction
Posted by Melissa McIntosh · February 06, 2025 5:15 PM
Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Communications
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney
Federal Member for Lindsay
6 February 2025
Labor’s NBN bill a distraction
Today, the Senate handed down its report...
Media release - Albanese Labor Government left behind on Post and Boast laws
Posted by Melissa McIntosh · February 06, 2025 4:15 PM
Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Communications
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney
Federal Member for Lindsay
6 February 2025
Albanese Labor Government left behind on Post and Boast...
Media release - Albanese Labor Government’s Broken Promise to tackle gambling advertising
Posted by Melissa McIntosh · January 31, 2025 8:30 AM
Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Communications
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney
Federal Member for Lindsay
31 January 2025
Albanese Labor Government’s Broken Promise to tackle gambling advertising...
Joint press conference - Dutton McDonald Coleman McIntosh Neal - NAIF and Shadow Ministry reshuffle
Posted by Melissa McIntosh · January 25, 2025 1:00 PM
Joint press conference
The Hon Peter Dutton MP
Leader of the Opposition
Senator Susan McDonald
Shadow Minister for Resources
Shadow Minister for Northern Australia
The Hon David Coleman...