The Federal Opposition has abandoned its promise to build a bypass to the west of Coffs Harbour, exposing the false statements made by Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker.

Documents released last week by the Shadow Finance Minister Andrew Robb confirm a Coffs Harbour bypass is NOT a commitment the Liberal and National parties will honour if elected later this year – see attachment.

According to Mr Robb, Mr Hartsuker’s promise has “been discontinued.”

In fact under the leadership of Phoney Tony the Federal Opposition is refusing to commit any additional money to the Pacific Highway, further proof that Mr Hartsuker has been treating North Coast residents like mugs: telling them one thing to their faces while doing very little when he thinks no one is looking.

Only two months ago (30/03/10), Mr Hartsuker told the Coffs Coast Advocate:

“Getting heavy vehicles out of the centre of Coffs Harbour and places like Urunga, Woolgoolga and Macksville, has to be the most urgent infrastructure priority in Australia.”

We now know these were nothing more than cheap words.

Once again, the Nationals have been caught out over promising and under delivering – no wonder they currently represent the fewest number of regional electorates in the Federal Parliament.

For our part, the Rudd Labor Government will continue rolling out our unprecedented $3.1 billion investment with more than 1,000 workers currently onsite building over 100 kilometres of new highway. Compared to our predecessors, we’re spending more than double in half the time.