More Money Promised

BARNABY Joyce, deputy Prime Minister and member for the seat of New England was in Scone today to announce an additional $30million for the Scone bypass.

He said if he was re-elected he would inject a further $20 million and the state government would contribute another $10 million to the project.

“More money was the answer to the problem for the bypass,” said Mr Joyce.

“This will allow improved access at the north and south and access through St Aubin’s Street,” he said.

“Where the overpass goes is really a decision for Council, but this money will ensure it happens,” Barnaby Joyce said.

The Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has not provided a final design and plan for the bypass and overpass, so when asked what the budget was based on for this announcement Mr Joyce said his focus was securing the money.

“I’ve been around long enough to know how politics works and the sweeping of the decks of non-contracted works, so my focus is about securing the $30 million, which is much more difficult than people my think,” said Mr Joyce.

Mr Joyce said the sod turn should occur in mid-2018.

Joel Fitzgibbon, member for Hunter said the announcement was smoke and mirrors for an election.

“Three years into Government and 12 days till the election, the Turnbull Government says it will fix the Scone level railway crossing issue,” said Mr Fitzgibbon.

“It’s now just more than three years since the former Labor Government allocated $45 million to fund a solution to the dangerous Scone level railway crossing,” he said.

“No planning has been completed, let alone a hole dug.

“Now, under pressure in his electorate, Barnaby Joyce wants Scone residents to believe that he has found an additional $20 million and his mate and National Party NSW Minister Duncan Gay will find an additional $10 million.

“Pigs might fly too!

“The Abbott/Turnbull Governments have had three years to do something about Scone,” he said.

“It will be more of the same if they are re-elected,” Joel Fitzgibbon said.