Joint statement with the Hon. Julie Bishop MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

More than 100 local residents turned out last Friday to hear Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP, outline the Coalition’s vision for the nation at a forum at Max Webber Library in Blacktown, jointly hosted by Senator Marise Payne, and federal Liberal candidates for Greenway, Jaymes Diaz, and Chifley, Isabelle White.

The Coalition’s plans were extremely well-received, especially the $1.5 billion commitment for the WestConnex Motorway, the pledge to remove $1 billion worth of red tape every year and the guarantee to repeal the carbon tax, which was met with rousing applause.

“Today’s forum was a great success and I thank the local residents for showing such a keen interest in the nation’s affairs and turning out to hear the positive agenda of an Abbott Coalition government,” Ms Bishop said.

“The residents raised a number of issues of concern, including the carbon tax, the Budget deficit, people smuggling, union militancy, the ICAC inquiry into alleged Labor corruption, superannuation and Defence funding.

“It was clear that those who attended the Blacktown meeting want competent government that will manage the Budget responsibly.

“The Coalition has pledged to provide competent government, sound Budgetary management and to regain control of our borders.”

Senator Payne said the fact Ms Bishop was so well-received, was a clear indication that Western Sydney residents want a return to clear-headed, stable government after The Rudd-Gillard debacle of the last six years.

“Western Sydney residents made it quite clear that they are sick and tired of being taken for granted by Labor and they want a return to the stability and sensible economic management that the Coalition provided under John Howard and will do so again under Tony Abbott,” Senator Payne said.

“Many people in Western Sydney were willing to give Labor a chance but Labor has betrayed them at every turn, from the carbon tax we were never meant to have, to the tax on superannuation income and the means-testing of the private health insurance rebate.

“The Coalition will repeal the carbon tax, pay back Labor’s debt and get Australia back on the right track.

“I would like to thank Ms Bishop for attending today’s forum and reinforcing the positive message that our candidates in the Liberal team have been spreading in Western Sydney.”

Assistant Treasurer and Lindsay MP David Bradbury has been caught out again on the WestConnex motorway project, saying he didn’t know when his government would provide funding for the project, either unaware of the details of when his government would provide funding for the project or avoiding telling his audience, just days after Transport Minister Anthony Albanese’s office admitted that $1.4 billion of Labor’s $1.8 billion commitment would not be available until 2019-20 to 2023-24.

The Coalition will help Western Sydney families, households, retirees and pensioners get ahead and plan their futures with confidence by scrapping the carbon tax as well as ensuring that tax cuts and fortnightly pension and benefit increases are kept.

This year’s Budget delivers more debt, more deficits, more taxes, more broken promises and more uncertainty.

More than 50 local residents relished the opportunity to have their say to Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Scott Morrison MP and Senator Marise Payne about a range of federal issues affecting the Penrith area and Australia as a whole at a forum at the Surveyor’s Creek Community Centre today.