TAMWORTH MP Kevin Anderson has scotched claims he was more interested in photo opportunities than issues and had failed to deliver during his first term in office.
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A day after independent candidate Peter Draper announced he would run for the seat at the March 28 state poll, Mr Anderson hit back at accusations by the former sitting member he was “all show, no go”.
Pointing to his record since taking office from Mr Draper in 2011, Mr Anderson said his position as a member of the government had helped secure a massive increase in funding for the electorate.
He said in 2010-11, Tamworth was allocated just $50 million in funding, while in 2014-15, close to $250 million had been earmarked.
He warned local voters against delivering the seat back to an independent, saying it could hinder progress over the next four years.
“To be part of the government is absolutely critical,” Mr Anderson said.
“You can pick up the phone or go straight into the office of a minister.”
He also rejected suggestions by Mr Draper he had taken credit for achievements made before he entered parliament.
“Leading up to the 2011 election, I gave an ironclad guarantee that we would release the funds for the Tamworth hospital rebuild if we were elected,” Mr Anderson said.
“And that promise was honoured.
“It was the same story with Manilla Rd.
“Peter wanted that fixed and good on him, but unfortunately he couldn’t get the money.
“We’ve ploughed $8 million into that road.”
He said he had a healthy respect for Mr Draper but would continue to work assiduously “to achieve outcomes for the community”.
On the key battleground issues identified by Mr Draper – mining on the Liverpool Plains, water prices in the Peel and the privatisation of electricity poles and wires – Mr Anderson said he was lobbying for the region.
“My view has always clearly been there should be no coal mining or CSG extraction on prime agricultural land or on the black soil,” he said.
“But the challenge we face quarantining the Liverpool Plains is that the area includes Gunnedah, where mining and farming have co-existed for a century.
“We just need to achieve a balance.”
He said he was working with irrigators and the government to introduce a new pricing mechanism to insulate the Peel against spiralling water costs and denied the poles and wires privatisation would drive up electricity prices.