NEW Farrer independent candidate Kevin Mack has endorsed the NSW Coalition government with his comments about spending in Albury, Greg Aplin says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Liberal MP for Albury was reacting to news the Albury mayor will contest the federal election against his party colleague Sussan Ley.
"Cr Mack has always taken the approach of telling everyone else they are not doing their job, never directly to the individual, but through the media and this approach continues," Mr Aplin said.
"Nevertheless it is good to see, finally, some positive statements from the newly announced candidate for the federal seat of Farrer on the level of support provided across the Albury electorate by the NSW Coalition Government."
"The mayor has attempted to downplay the NSW Coalition Government's commitment to the electorate by claiming the support has only been delivered in the last 12 months," Mr Aplin said.
"Funding provided to this electorate for local projects, over and above the annual NSW budget normal operational costs associated with hospitals, schools, police, roads etc, totals more than $250 million in the last two years alone.
"Not exactly a pattern of neglect as claimed and portrayed by the mayor over the years."
Mr Aplin said Cr Mack's view was "somewhat at odds with the claims we hear every election period - a safe electorate is a forgotten electorate or that old stager - we need to be marginal to get Sydney's attention".
"But...24 hours has elapsed and now, in mayor Mack's latest interview, he has reverted to his usual theme - we are the forgotten, the lost children, no one knows we are here," Mr Aplin said.
The MP and Cr Mack have regularly sparred, with the mayor having said he would run for the NSW seat before retreating.