Ms KAREN McKEOWN (Penrith) (14:30): I move:
That this House:
(1)Congratulates the Government for continuing to invest in Western Sydney infrastructure after 12 years of neglect.
(2)Commends the investment in the 2025-26 budget of a further $5.2 million for Penrith Beach over the next two seasons.
(3)Acknowledges that 330,000 visitors have already enjoyed free swimming, lifesaving and learn-to-swim classes and will further benefit from more free workshops this summer.
Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (14:44): I thank my colleague the member for Penrith for introducing this motion for debate so we can share the good news of what has been done in Penrith and across greater western and south-west Sydney. I highlight yet again what the former Government left us with. Its legacy was in excess of $187 billion of gross debt. Opposition members can crow all they like, but it says a lot about the Liberal Party in New South Wales—the member for Davidson has done a runner; I would too if I were him—that it got someone from the North Shore to talk about what the Liberal Party did in greater Western Sydney. That speaks volumes. However, I note my Opposition colleagues from greater Western Sydney are present. I am glad they are here because, with their indulgence, I will take them through some of the good news that has been delivered by the Minns Labor Government in greater Western Sydney.
Earlier the member for Davidson mentioned Penrith Beach, or "Pondi". I pay credit to our good friend the Deputy Premier and education Minister. She is a wonderful fighter for greater Western Sydney, not only in this Parliament but also before she came to this place. The member for Badgerys Creek will be very happy about the $196.5 million stage two upgrade for Mulgoa Road. An amazing amount of money has been invested by the Minns Government, including $116.2 million for the M12 motorway from the M7 to the Northern Road, $58.8 million for the Mulgoa Road stage one upgrade from Blaikie Road to the M4, and $3.4 million for upgrades to Coreen Avenue and Coombs Drive. Those projects are partly funded by the Federal Government. That continues on from the $3.6 billion provided over four years for the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport, and the $833.4 million provided over four years for the Mamre Road stage two construction.
I could go on and on—and I will. Some $580.1 million has been provided over four years to upgrade Elizabeth Drive. In fairness to my colleagues who are privileged to represent an electorate in greater western and south‑west Sydney, they know we have network issues. If there is a problem on the M7, it commonly flows onto the M2 and M12, so we need a networked plan of investment. Commonly, where we find an issue in a particular area, the solution is often not where the issue exists but somewhere else. It is a bit like getting needles stuck into you by the chiropractor—you might have a sore leg, but the issue could be up in your neck. It is the same theory.
Mr Stephen Bali: I'm glad you've clarified that.
Mr GREG WARREN: I note the member for Blacktown, the former Lord Mayor of Parramatta and now member for Parramatta, and my good friends in the south-west from Leppington and Macquarie Fields are in the Chamber. They know all too well what was left to us by the Liberal Government in New South Wales, and the utter contempt its members showed towards greater west and south-west Sydney. We need only look at my electorate and the ignorance about the work done to Appin Road, which caused koala carnage in the south of Campbelltown. It is an absolute debacle. Labor is delivering the Spring Farm Parkway connection to the Hume Highway as well as upgrades and services across our schools. I wish I had more time, but I do not. I thank the member for Penrith for introducing this motion. I will have much more to say about this matter at a later time.
