The assurance comes after Tamworth MP Peter Draper called on The Nationals to detail their position on the Coalition’s funding promise after confusion in the Port Macquarie electorate over a similar

commitment.

Last week in Port Macquarie, Opposition spokeswoman for health Jillian Skinner clarified that the Coalition would only fund the $75 million Port Macquarie hospital expansion if the federal government didn’t provide the money.

“Last week, candidate Williams said the Coalition money was independent of federal government funding, but by Thursday the party conceded that was not the case. The Coalition must now tell the people of Tamworth and the region the truth about their funding intentions for Tamworth Hospital,” Mr Draper said.

Yesterday Mr Draper called on The Nationals’ candidate for Tamworth Kevin Anderson to reveal if the $100 million promised for Tamworth Hospital was independent of federal funding. Mr Anderson told The Leader that was “absolutely correct”.

“The Coalition’s pledge will stay,” he said.

“If there is federal funding coming from that sector, how good will that make our region. We can do bigger, better things than we’ve already planned.”

Mr Anderson also denied allegations from Mr Draper that Tamworth-based MLC Trevor Khan had been removed from The Nationals’ campaign in Tamworth.

“Trevor is working pretty hard in both electorates, not just Tamworth, but he has also been assigned duty to assist our candidate in Cessnock,” Mr Anderson said.

“We have a really good chance in Cessnock and Trevor has been dividing his time between the two

electorates.”

Mr Khan told The Leader that far from being removed from the campaign, he had doorknocked Calala residents with Mr Anderson on Friday.

“And I’m doorknocking again with Kevin next Monday,” he said.

“We need to apply our resources as we see fit. The bulk of my time is being spent in Cessnock but when I’m home, I campaign in Tamworth.”