The timing of Heathcote MP Lee Evans’ call for action on the rail line between Helensburgh and Central has raised the eyebrows of Wollongong MP Paul Scully.
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But Mr Evans has refuted the Labor member’s claims.
The issue stems from comments Mr Evans made earlier this month in parliament when he went against his own government and called for urgent action on the T4 Illawarra line.
Mr Evans said Transport for NSW officials had told him that the line will “hit the wall” in 2021 and there will be no space for any more trains on the line.
“That’s ringing alarm bells for me,” Mr Evans said.
“That’s telling me we’ve got to do something.”
Mr Scully pointed to a Transport for NSW tender issued in November last year calling for an investigation of the line, saying it put Mr Evans’ call in “an interesting context”.
“He’s been calling for a business case to be developed for improvements to the T4 line,” Mr Scully said.
“Well he probably knows that’s all happening and this is all being choreographed in a similar way to a Beyonce music video rather than being genuinely speaking out against his government.”
Mr Evans said he was aware of the Transport for NSW tender but denied any claim his statements were “choreographed”, saying he was pushing for action, not words.
“There have been about four or five plans that have been put forward over the last two decades and nothing’s happened,” Mr Evans said.
“Seven years I’ve been hearing about it. That’s what I’m saying, when are we going to press the button?
“We’re running up to our budget and if it’s not there we’re going to have some serious trouble by 2021.”