Prime Minister Criticizes Former Transport Minister's Track Record in Bid for Federal Seat

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Prime Minister Criticizes Former Transport Minister's Track Record in Bid for Federal Seat

The battle for the federal seat of Gilmore in Australia has become intense, with the Prime Minister and Andrew Constance, the former New South Wales transport minister, at odds. Incumbent Labor MP Fiona Phillips narrowly secured her victory by just 373 votes, setting the stage for a contentious election less than four months away. Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister, recently visited Nowra and pledged $5 million towards upgrading the city's waterfront precinct in a bid to support Phillips' campaign.

Albanese emphasized Phillips' dedication to her role, highlighting her hard-fought battle to maintain her seat in the face of Constance's challenge. Constance, who previously served as the state member for the seat of Bega, made a second attempt at securing Gilmore but faced defeat in the 2022 elections. The Prime Minister criticized Constance's record during his time in office, questioning his commitment and effectiveness in delivering on infrastructure promises.

The ongoing debate over the Princes Highway upgrades further fueled the political tensions, with criticisms directed at delays in crucial road projects. The Milton Ulladulla Bypass specifically came under scrutiny, with accusations of slow progress and insufficient action by the state government. The political blame game intensified, with opposition spokesperson Natalie Ward expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of tangible results and demanding concrete timelines for project execution.

Andrew Constance defended his record and contributions to infrastructure projects along the Princes Highway, pointing out the coalition's accomplishments in building bypasses in various regions. Dismissing the Prime Minister's accusations of "seat shopping," Constance reaffirmed his commitment to the community and highlighted the coalition's role in delivering key infrastructure developments. The political discourse surrounding infrastructure investments and project delivery timelines reflects the competitive nature of the upcoming federal elections and the focus on candidates' track records in serving their constituents.