We can deliver on our promises, says Turnbull

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has urged Braddon voters to support his party’s candidate tomorrow saying only Brett Whiteley can deliver the millions of dollars worth of promises made during the campaign.

While the big funding announcements came to a stop yesterday, Mr Turnbull told delegates at a conference in Burnie the gap between his party and Labor had never been greater.

“Labor is now a grievance party,” Mr Turnbull said.

“This is a crucial time for the North-West of Tasmania and voters have a big decision to make on Saturday. Only a vote for Brett Whiteley will keep the new momentum I am feeling in the electorate going.”

Mr Whiteley joined the leader of his party at the Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council conference after doorknocking in Wynyard and waving placards at a busy Burnie intersection. It was the fourth time Mr Turnbull had visited Braddon during the byelection campaign.

“You are like a family member at the moment,” Mr Whiteley told his leader.

“The contest is going to be close but I will keep campaigning until 6pm on Saturday.”

Mr Turnbull said he was buoyed by the turnaround in Braddon’s fortunes.

“There is now strong jobs growth here and it is terrific,” Mr Turnbull said.

“Tasmania is the quiet achiever when it comes to mineral exports which have risen 36 per cent in the last year. I totally agree with the theme of this year’s conference: This is what good looks like.

“It is my job to deliver the policies to let you do what you do best.”

Mr Turnbull was at Avebury nickel mine earlier this month when the new owners of the operation announced they would reopen the mine in January and employ 200 workers.

Mr Turnbull also talked up Tasmania’s potential as the battery of the nation. He said pumped hydro would generate $5 billion and 3000 jobs over the next 10 to 15 years.

After his appearance at the mining conference in Burnie, Mr Turnbull pressed the flesh during a street walk in Ulverstone then travelled to Devonport where he met celebrity chef Ben Milbourne, who has secured a federal grant to expand his television production company Cultivated.