McGowan rejects Edman claim

Rockingham MLA Mark McGowan has rejected claims that a Labor-led State Government would bungle infrastructure projects in Rockingham.

Liberal MLC Phil Edman said he was ‘‘deeply concerned’’ about bad decisions and infrastructure project setbacks if Labor took power in next year’s State election.

Mr Edman pinpointed the Rockingham train station’s construction 2km from the city centre as a prime example.

‘‘The City of Rockingham fought hard for the train station to be located in the city centre but Rockingham MLA Mark McGowan ignored the needs of the community and instead announced a bus service to the city,’’ Mr Edman said.

‘‘Mr McGowan’s complete disregard of the city’s and community’s needs resulted in the council employing lobbyist Julian Grill to help the council fight for a much-desired train station in the city centre.’’

Mr McGowan responded by saying major infrastructure in Rockingham, such as eight new schools in the area, the redevelopment of the hospital and the railway, were all built by the former Labor government.

‘‘Why would he criticise that? They’re wonderful common assets,’’ Mr McGowan said.

‘‘As far as I can tell, the only thing the Liberal Party has done for Rockingham since it’s been in office has been to cancel the police station at Secret Harbour and withdraw the Rockingham rail unit from the train station.’’

Mr Edman said the Liberal plan in 1999 for a train station in the city centre would have allowed the line to access the Rockingham CBD by tunnel, providing direct access to shopping and restaurants.

Mr McGowan said he disagreed that such a proposal was good planning.

‘‘The Liberal Party is in office, and if they want to front that, I look forward to seeing that money, but I can assure you they won’t,’’ he said.