LABOR’S POWERHOUSE BACKFLIP IS A BETRAYAL OF WESTERN SYDNEY

Labor’s shameful backflip on the Powerhouse Museum is further demonstration that the party has completely abandoned Western Sydney. 
 
Last week, Opposition Leader Luke Foley said he would scrap a major Metro train project to Western Sydney and today he is withdrawing support for Powerhouse Museum to move to Parramatta.  
 
Mr Foley confirmed his backflip after senior Labor frontbenchers, including Walt Secord, said Labor’s support for moving Powerhouse to Parramatta had “evaporated”. 
 
“Luke Foley has walked away from Nepean Hospital, ANZ Stadium and now the Powerhouse, he is the most anti Western Sydney leader Labor has ever had,” Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said. 
 
“Labor is more focused on winning inner city seats against the Greens than investing in a growing Western Sydney.  
 
“When you don’t stand for anything you stand for nothing.” 
 
Arts Minister Don Harwin said: “Western Sydney deserves world-class cultural facilities and the relocated Powerhouse will deliver just that. It is not fair that the people of Western Sydney have to travel to the CBD to visit our major galleries and museums.” 
 
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said: “Mr Foley wants to keep the Powerhouse Museum for his inner city friends at the expense of Western Sydney. Luke Foley has betrayed Western Sydney and his own seat of Auburn.”