Liberal candidate for Throsby must come clean on key issues

20 August 2013

Federal Member for Throsby Stephen Jones says the Liberal candidate must explain to the electorate why the Coalition plans to axe frontline health services for the region and refuse to support vital infrastructure projects like the Home of Soccer.

The Liberal Party wont commit support for the Home of Soccer in West Dapto but my opponent is calling Federal Labors $7.5 million investment in the project a hollow promise, said Jones.

Funding for the official Home of Soccer is already included in the budget. It is a serious commitment and we are serious about investing in regional communities, unlike the Opposition.

Tony Abbott has already told the region not to ask for money from a Coalition Government and they are promising nothing for us in this election.

Stephen Jones says the Coalition plan to axe Medicare Locals, which will put 37 frontline workers out of a job and rip away crucial health services, especially in the areas of mental health and management for chronic diseases like diabetes.

The Illawarra is ground zero for diabetes sufferers, with the number recorded in Wollongong and Shellharbour well above the national average, said Jones.

Health is clearly not a priority for the Coalition.

We only need to look back to the Howard years, when Tony Abbott was Health Minister and bulk billing was at an all-time low of 67 per cent, compared to the 91 per cent now under Labor.

The Liberal candidate for Throsby needs to come clean and tell the electorate whether she supports Tony Abbotts savage cuts or whether she supports quality health services, more jobs and better infrastructure for the electorate.