Premier Mike Baird says the Illawarra is the "piece de resistance" of the government's plan to inject millions of dollars into regional NSW, despite the region's opposition MPs "voting against every single project".
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During question time in State Parliament this week, Nationals member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen asked how the government's plan to rebuild NSW would secure the future of regional communities.
Mr Baird said the Coalition had a "comprehensive plan" to put $6 billion worth of infrastructure in regional areas, but cited his confusion about the resistance from Labor.
"They say they want it and then they come into the House and vote against it. I cannot understand it," Mr Baird said, referring to a $400 million spend on Central Coast roads.
"The piece de resistance remains the Illawarra because the community has been calling for the Albion Park Rail bypass for many years and we are going to invest $550 million in that."
The bypass comment incited a brief war of words, in which Shellharbour MP Anna Watson and Member for Kiama Gareth Ward joined the chorus.
Both MPs were told to stop, with Ms Watson further cautioned about interjecting.
"I love those fighting words. Who said those words? Do not tell me it was Wollongong's No. 1 fan: the member for Shellharbour," Mr Baird said.
"The member for Shellharbour will surely come into this place and vote for legislation that gives the Albion Park Rail bypass a big tick so that we can deliver it."
Ms Watson was again warned by the Speaker that Mr Baird's comments were not part of a debate and she couldn't participate.
"Why does the member for Shellharbour not just join the team that is delivering for her community?
"For some reason her team ... have no interest in the Albion Park Rail bypass and that is just an example of what we see from those opposite," he said.
