Same Old Tricks: Politicians Take Credit For Project Funded By Previous Government

Member for Manly James Griffin MP today welcomed the delivery of charging infrastructure at Brookvale depot, a project previously funded and announced by Mr Griffin and the former Coalition Government. The announcement and press conference carried no shortage of irony, with those who campaign on avoiding politics-as-usual happily practising it in Manly today.

“In 2022, I was proud to announce that Brookvale bus depot would be retrofitted with electric charging infrastructure, as part of a major $3 billion investment from the former Coalition Government to kick-start the state’s transition from diesel to electric buses,” said Mr Griffin.

“Today, Independent Member for Wakehurst, Michael Regan and Teal Independent Member for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby joined Premier Chris Minns and the Transport Minister in the Manly Electorate to unveil this very project.”

“Sadly, at a time when public trust in politics is already under strain, the Members for Wakehurst and Pittwater chose to turn up to an electorate neither represent, airbrush out the former government and take credit for someone else’s homework,” said Mr Griffin.

“Politics can be a grubby sport at times, and while the Independents like to claim they ‘do politics differently,’ this behaviour doesn’t pass the pub test.”

“First the metro, and now Brookvale depot. Premier Chris Minns is showing us just how skilled he has become at cutting ribbons for projects started by the former Coalition Government.”

“While it would have been respectful and followed convention for the Wakehurst and Pittwater MPs to let me know they were coming to Manly, I’ll leave the politics to them and say how good it is to see this charging technology installed. It will support the rollout of Zero Emissions Buses which was another project the former Government proudly announced and paid for. These buses are a win for the environment, our transport network and local jobs,” said Mr Griffin.

Under the former Coalition Government’s $3 billion funding commitment, Brookvale becomes the first of Sydney’s 11 bus depots to receive this charging infrastructure. Currently, there are 13 electric buses operating out of Brookvale, with all diesel buses to be replaced by 2028.

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