In what amounts to an undisguised slight to Coasties, Premier Mike Baird failed to meet community or business groups during his recent visit to the Central Coast, according to Senator for NSW Deborah O’Neill.
Senator O’Neill said the Premier’s time was consumed entirely by a meeting with controversial racing and media identity John Singleton, to the exclusion of all others. “Residents, business and community groups are right to be angry at the Premier’s failure to meet with them to hear their concerns,” Senator O’Neill said. Senator Deborah O’Neill said that this decision was indicative of a bad government that was no longer serving the interests of the State.
“If Mike Baird cared as much about the needs of the entire Central Coast as he did about the needs of just one, very wealthy resident, then perhaps Coasties wouldn’t already be waiting to vote them out after just one term. “But the fact is Mr Baird and the Liberal Party have taken the Coast for granted for far too long. “The Premier has three Liberal colleagues on the Coast facing ICAC corruption charges, yet continues to leave the door open for this troika of tainted MPs to run in next year’s election.
“And, to add insult to injury, Mike Baird has the temerity to appoint a Minister for the Central Coast who lives on Sydney’s north shore. “This is a level of neglect and disdain that our community won’t wear. “If the Premier has any decency, he will come and face up to the Coast and talk with the local health workers worried about his cuts, or the electricity workers facing sacking when he privatises the poles and wires,” Senator O’Neill said.
Media release, 23 Jun 2014
Richard Mehrtens,
office of Deborah O’Neill MP