Tony Abbott’s plan for Badgerys Creek

Tony Abbott’s plan for Badgerys Creek

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,

Regional Development and Local Government

Leader of the House

Member for Grayndler

December 17 2009

The Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott, must explain to the people of Western Sydney his position on putting Sydney’s second airport at Badgerys Creek.

Yesterday, Mr Abbott failed to rule out Badgerys Creek as the Opposition’s preferred site for a second airport.

During a press conference in Sydney, he said:

“Well, I think Sydney needs a second airport… And it is up to the Government to make the decisions needed to bring that about.”

When asked if it was the Opposition’s policy was a second airport at Badgerys Creek, Mr Abbott said:

“Well, it’s the Opposition’s policy that the Government should do its job.”

Only three weeks ago, the Opposition’s transport spokesperson, Warren Truss told the Parliament (25 November 2009):

“Bear in mind that there has been bipartisan support for the reservation of the Badgerys Creek site now for many, many years.”

It is now time for Mr Abbott to stop being tricky.

The Opposition needs to come clean and state their position on Badgerys Creek.

The Rudd Labor Government has ruled out Badgerys Creek and established a joint taskforce to address additional airport capacity for Sydney.