The NSW Government has today revealed 5.7 billion reasons why it should install the Unanderra Station lifts now.

Today’s Report on State Finances 2016-17 indicates that the NSW Budget has a $5.7 billion surplus.

It’s been six long years since the then Transport Minister – now Premier – Gladys Berejiklian cancelled the upgrade of Unanderra Station, including installing lifts and sent the money elsewhere.

Instead of prioritising use of the $5.7 billion surplus to finally upgrade Unanderra Station and install its much-needed lifts, the NSW Government would rather use $2.3 billion on knocking down and then rebuilding stadia in Sydney.

The NSW Government’s priorities are warped.

NSW Labor has pledged $25 million in the first budget of a Foley Labor Government, if elected in March 2019, to upgrade the Unanderra Station and install its lifts.

The commitment was made at last year’s Wollongong by-election.

Comments attributable to Paul Scully MP:

“Today’s budget surplus announcement confirms that there are 5.7 billion reasons to install the Unanderra Station lifts now.

“While taxes go up and revenue goes up, the elderly, parents with prams, and people with a disability are also forced to go up – 72 stairs to get to a platform to catch a train.

‘Six years ago Gladys Berejiklian cancelled the Unanderra Station upgrade and re-allocated the money to other projects.

“The Premier is fond of saying she wants to lead a compassionate government sharing the success of economic growth with every community in NSW.

“She can start showing some of that compassion by finally installing the lifts at Unanderra Station.

“I am determined to get the lifts built and have secured a commitment that they will be if a Labor Government is elected in 2019 – but with a massive surplus we shouldn’t have to wait that long.”