Deputy Premier Paul Toole took a swipe at Labor when he was asked by a reporter if the money the Coalition were promising for Safer Cars for Country Kids and the Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card would still be provided if the Coalition lost the upcoming state election.
To be fair, Mr Toole – who is the Nationals’ leader in the Coalition government – couldn’t possibly know the answer – it would have been better to ask Labor.
The question came up as Mr Toole and Regional Transport and Roads Minister, Sam Farraway were in our region promising yet another cash splash ahead of the March 25 election and it did give the Deputy Premier the opening to say, “we are 31 days away from the election, you are right, and we haven’t had one regional announcement made by Labor up until this point.
“We are 31 days away and they have not put one initiative into regional and rural New South Wales,” he said.
We did the journalism thing, in the spirit of balance, and asked Labor leader Chris Minns for his thoughts thinks.
His office detailed no less than 10 regional and rural-centric initiatives across agriculture, the arts and health, and said they are ready to pull the trigger should they get into office in the last week of March.
A spokesperson for the Labor leader said that did not include their policies which will potentially positively impact regional NSW including their plan to rebuild TAFE, safe staffing in hospitals, a comprehensive housing plan, education plans, and cost of living measures.
“The Liberals and Nationals have presided over a chronic teacher shortage crisis, unprecedented pressure on our healthcare system and a ballooning cost of living – all of which is being felt acutely in our regions, Mr Minns told the Barrier Truth.
“We know that regional and rural NSW are foundational to the success of our state, and I am proud to lead a team who have a plan for every single community across NSW.
“I look forward to making more announcements in this space before March.”
