Senior Vice President of the NSW Branch of the ALP Tara Moriarty met over 50 local Labor activists to officially open the Goulburn campaign office on the corner of Auburn and Clinton St Goulburn,  with Labor candidate, Dr Ursula Stephens on Sunday, November 4.

Ms Moriarty highlighted the level of public dissatisfaction with the NSW Government and the importance of continuing to build a strong grass roots campaign.

She said recent public polling showed that people are ready to change the government next year, and the Goulburn electorate will be crucial to Labor winning government .

“Goulburn has been missing out on the investment splurge by the Berejiklian government,” Ms Moriarty said. 

“There is a clear message from voters right across the electorate who believe regional NSW is missing out and isn’t getting its fair share of the funds that have come from privatisation.

“Dr Stephens and the campaign team have called over 1000 voters this week and people say they appreciate being listened to by her. 

“She is meeting with councils and community organisations every day, and that is reflected in her level of recognition right across the electorate.”

She said the Berejklian Liberal Government insists on splurging $2.3 billion on stadiums, while regional NSW has not had its fair share of Restart NSW infrastructure funding. The $30 billion Restart NSW Fund contains the proceeds of the sale of the electricity network.

Dr Stephens said the NSW Liberal Government has its priorities all wrong.  

“We need investment in school and hospital projects and regional infrastructure,” she said.

“We have a $9.6m maintenance backlog in schools in the Goulburn electorate. Students are languishing in 51 demountables, some over 20-years old. 

“Our train service isn’t good enough. The Liberals promised the Goulburn community a new hospital four years ago and all we have is a fence.”

“Luke Foley committed the proceeds of the sale of Snowy Hydro will be spent in regional NSW, to invest in jobs, industry, renewable energy and of course upgrading our schools, hospitals and essential infrastructure.

“The Nationals have finally convinced the Berejiklian government to match that promise, and we’re already seeing a haphazard porkbarrelling process being put in place to shore up Nationals seats.  

“At the same time, Gladys Berejiklian is spending money on upgrades to corporate suites in Sydney stadiums rather than classrooms and emergency departments.

“The people right across the Goulburn electorate want to see money for their schools , hospitals and local infrastructure, not squandered in Sydney.”