WESTERN suburbs lobby groups are shifting into gear for the federal election, with 220 days to snare concrete commitments from Canberra.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard last week made the surprise announcement that Australians would go to the polls on September 14.
Her electorate of Lalor – which spans Wyndham, Melton and parts of Hobsons Bay – has been held by Labor since 1969. She won 64 per cent of the primary vote in 2010.
Ms Gillard pledged Lalor residents’ needs would not be overshadowed.
“The key issues in Lalor are the issues that my Labor government are most committed to – improving education, infrastructure, jobs and skills, health and continuing to manage our strong economy.”
LeadWest chief executive Anton Mayer and a delegation of western suburbs mayors and council CEOs will meet the government and opposition in Canberra on March 19.
Mr Mayer said at the top of the west’s wishlist was federal funding to bankroll the East-West Link.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott pledged last June to funnel $1.5 billion into the 18-kilometre project, which will link the Eastern Freeway, CityLink and the Western Ring Road, and include a second Maribyrnong River crossing.
Mr Mayer said western suburbs leaders would keep pressing the government and Coalition.
“We would certainly like to see that sort of partnership between the state and federal governments to ensure the link is delivered sooner rather than later.”
He said construction needed to begin in the west rather than the east.
Another push would be for more funding for stretched hospitals and healthcare services.
The state government has been trying to pressure the federal government to overturn an unexpected health cut of $107 million, while the federal government points out the state slashed $616 million from its last two health budgets.
“The majority of people don’t care about the blame game, they just want better healthcare.”
