Nickolas Varvaris (Barton, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

This Saturday is an exciting day for the people of Barton, because they can choose a government that listens and responds to their needs or choose the party that has done nothing in 16 years. The Baird Liberal government has delivered the funding to St George Hospital that the previous Labor Party could not. It was not the lack of funding; they just did not care. For 16 years, St George Hospital, a major infrastructure facility and employer in the Barton electorate, was left to languish. The member for Kogarah, Cherie Burton, had her chance to represent her constituents and for 16 years she did nothing.

My constituents are disappointed that their area was neglected until the Baird Liberal government came along. Within their first term, $8 million was delivered for a new mental health unit, $39 million was delivered for a new emergency department and $307 million was delivered for a St George hospital rebuild. The key word here is 'delivered'—not talked about, not promised but delivered.

An increasing population in the St George area also requires better infrastructure to support commuters. Pinch-points in the area have been overlooked time and again by New South Wales Labor. Under the Liberals, $13 million has been confirmed to upgrade the overpass at Allawah station, which is due to start this year. A further $240 million has been confirmed to fix intersections in Kogarah, Beverly Hills and Hurstville. This is a real win for residents. The people of St George deserve a voice in parliament that represents their needs, someone with a connection to the area they represent and not someone who choses to live in Kurnell or Nowra. A vote for the Baird Liberal team will ensure this excellent track record continues.

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