Mark Speakman
NSW Leader of the Opposition
Stephanie Di Pasqua
Member for Drummoyne
The NSW Opposition welcomes every dollar invested in frontline services. Firefighters deserve modern stations, proper equipment and the certainty that comes with long term planning. That principle is not in dispute.
But the Minns Labor Government's Rhodes announcement today leaves out an important truth.
What the Government has not revealed is that this decision all but guarantees the closure of the Concord/North Strathfield fire station, just as 18,000 new homes are coming to North Strathfield. Communities deserve honesty. They are not getting it.
The Government's story gets stranger. Donna Davis is not the local member for this area. Sally Sitou is a Federal MP and this project has no Commonwealth involvement or funding. Yet both appear in the release while the actual State MP for Drummoyne has been cut out entirely.
It is theatre, not transparency, and it speaks volumes about how this Government operates. When issues hit too close to home, their instinct is to ignore the substance, attack the messenger and pretend the problem doesn't exist.
And when it comes to Concord/North Strathfield fire station, the Minister cannot hide from the facts. The Member for Drummoyne has written to him, asked him directly and repeatedly called on him to rule out closing the station. He has refused every single time.
Communities want reassurance, not another round of photo opportunities. If Labor is so confident in its plan, it should front up and give a straight answer.
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said investment in firefighting capability is always welcome, our firefighters deserve the very best and communities expect straight answers, not staged announcements.
"However, today's announcement raises more questions than it answers. They are talking up a new site in Rhodes while refusing to give a clear commitment to the future of the Concord/North Strathfield station, right as thousands of new homes are planned nearby, that silence speaks volumes," Mr Speakman said.
Labor was forced to buy land in Rhodes because the former site was sold to developers.
"Now they will not admit that this move paves the way for closing Concord and North Strathfield, right as thousands of new homes are set to be built the area," Mr Speakman said.
Member for Drummoyne Stephanie Di Pasqua said she has asked the Minister directly, in writing and in Parliament, to rule out closing Concord/North Strathfield fire station and he has refused on every single occasion.
"My community wants certainty. They want to know their local firefighters will be here when seconds matter. They are not getting that certainty from Labor," Ms Di Pasqua said.
