At the tailend of a hard-fought local campaign and on the cusp of the 2019 Federal election, Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has made a final pitch for the continued support of Novocastrians at the ballot box.
Ms Claydon said that while Liberals seemed to have had a deliberate strategy to ‘run dead’ in the local campaign, Labor would never take Newcastle for granted.
“I’m incredibly proud of the important local commitments I have been able to secure for Newcastle,” Ms Claydon said.
If elected, a Labor Government will deliver:
- $3 million to rebuild Boscawen Street Bridge at Wallsend
- $2.3 million to revitalise Throsby Creek and prevent plastics and other rubbish from ending up in the ocean
- $13 million to complete the first stage of the Glendale Interchange
- $120,000 for priority projects at Glendore Public School, Callaghan College, New Lambton Public School and Stockton Public School
- $564,000 for more local emergency relief funding
- $350,000 for a Newcastle Music Hub where young people can jam, rehearse and record with the support of professional mentors and equipment
- $2.4 million for cutting-edge University of Newcastle research projects to drive a clean energy future
- $450,000 for a project to boost job outcomes for young people in the Newcastle-Hunter region
- $580,000 for two projects to boost the number of young people participating in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)
- $1.65 million for a project to change community culture and help people with an experience of domestic violence to take up higher education
- $750,000 for two projects to give disadvantaged people the skills and support to take up higher education
- $50,000 for two parents’ rooms at University of Newcastle libraries
- $120,000 for a project to open up university options to young people in out of home care
In addition, Ms Claydon pointed to a number of Labor’s national commitments and policies with specific benefits for Newcastle including:
- $1.1 billion investment to grow the national hydrogen industry in which Newcastle could be a lead player
- $14 billion extra for public schools across the country, including $19.4 million for schools in Newcastle
- A cap on private health insurance premiums, a $2.8 billion Better Hospitals Fund and $2.3 billion Medicare Cancer Plan
- The restoration of almost $10 million cut from the John Hunter Hospital, Calvary Mater and John Hunter Children’s Hospitals
- The $50 million Coastal Rehabilitation Fund to support local communities like Stockton to address beach erosion
- A commitment to real action on climate change, with Newcastle being uniquely positioned to lead the way in a just transition to a low-carbon economy
- A National Rail Manufacturing Plan which Newcastle stands to benefit from as one of Australia’s largest remaining rail manufacturing hubs
- The reversal of cuts to penalty rates and prevention of future cuts
- Getting the NDIS back on track
Ms Claydon urged all constituents to vote, labelling the 2019 election “the most important in a generation”.
“Never has there been a starker difference between the offerings of the major parties with such far-reaching implications for the future direction of the country,” Ms Claydon said.
“Labor has presented a comprehensive, coherent vision of a fairer, more prosperous country that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
“Australians now have a clear choice between excessive tax breaks for the top end of town, or proper investment in schools, hospitals and the potential of Australian people.”
If you want better hospitals and schools, not more cuts – vote Labor.
If you want unity and stability, not three more years of chaos – vote Labor.
If you want to get wages moving, not more tax loopholes for the rich – vote Labor.
If you want real action on climate change, not more chaos – vote Labor.
If you want a fair go for all Australians – vote Labor.