Electorate Media Releases

LABOR’S BUDGET SILENCE ON PLATYPUS CAUSE FOR CONCERN

15th May 2008

Member for North Sydney, Joe Hockey MP, said today that the government needs to let the community know what it is doing with the former submarine base, HMAS Platypus.

"I am very concerned that last night’s Budget includes no mention of Platypus – it isn’t even mentioned in the priorities for the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and there is no mention of the $40 million that the Coalition government had allocated towards decontaminating the site.

"Peter Garrett needs to come clean and let residents know what the government’s intentions are. The decontamination works are essential for the future of the site and just as importantly the Harbour environment which is affected by contamination leaking into Neutral Bay.

"The decontamination will take several years and should not be delayed if the site is to be returned to the public anytime soon," Mr Hockey said.

Mr Hockey said that the government has also squibbed on its commitment to provide $25 million for the Graythwaite estate.

Mr Hockey said that the Labor Party had promised to match the Coalition government’s commitment of $25 million to save Graythwaite but in last night’s Budget the government announced that it was reducing funding to $20.2 million.

"While I am pleased that the government will continue to support our plan, the funding reduction will mean that there is less money to restore the historic Graythwaite estate.

"The Budget is scant on detail but I am assuming that what has been cut is the $5 million contribution that we had committed to restoring the property.

"The NSW government has let Graythwaite deteriorate and the cost of bringing this heritage property up to scratch will be considerable, which is why we committed $5 million specifically for restoration.

Mr Hockey said that the Budget contained a number of other stings for north shore residents.

"Changes to the Medicare surcharge will put added pressure on waiting lists and the emergency department at Royal North Shore. The Budget has confirmed that it expects up to 400,000 Australians to drop their private health insurance as a result of these changes which will mean more people using the public hospital system.

Mr Hockey said that he will continue to push the government on ensuring that it delivers to the local community particularly for Platypus and Graythwaite which are important parts of our local area.

Further information: Trent Zimmerman – 9929 9822