All rhetoric and no deals

Labor MP says federal Coalition has failed Geelong on projects

CORIO MP Richard Marles has called for a little less conversation and a little more action from the Federal Government to bring major projects to the Geelong region.

Mr Marles slammed the Tunrbull Government and Corangamite Liberal MP Sarah Henderson for delivering what he called “rhetoric” rather than results, particularly in relation to the much-lauded possibility of city deal funding.

“There is no funding for a Geelong city deal,” Mr Marles said.

“The Government has made no announcements about a city deal for Geelong.

“Indeed at this stage there is no Geelong city deal.”

Mr Marles said the Geelong region deserved “real leadership from the Commonwealth Government and real investment”.

“If we had been elected we would have already been working with the City of Greater Geelong to bring major projects to Geelong,” he said.

He said Labor government had a history of delivering for Geelong, including projects such as the Geelong Bypass and Simonds Stadium.

“All Liberal governments give our city is rhetoric,” he said

“They do a lot of talking, but no building.”

Ms Henderson hit back at the criticism yesterday.

“Since being elected in September 2013, the Coalition Government has delivered hundreds of millions of dollars of investment to our region, including $100 million for Geelong passenger rail, a new national NDIA headquarters, major roads upgrades including the Princes Highway duplication and a new Australian Bureau of Statistics national data centre,” she said.

The Corangamite MP said Mr Marles should be more supportive of the city deal option, which would bring together all three levels of government on a major project for the region.

“It is regrettable that Corio MP Richard Marles isn’t prepared to work in Geelong’s interest and advocate for this critical investment,” she said.

“All we hear from Mr Marles is snarling and negativity — ‘Mr Snarles’ needs to get on board and join our fight for a city deal.”

“All we hear from Mr Marles is snarling and negativity — ‘Mr Snarles’ needs to get on board and join our fight for a city deal.” MP SARAH HENDERSON