Four years ago, in 2015 then Wollongong MP Noreen Hay promised $25 million for an upgrade at Unanderra station if Labor was elected.

In 2019, her replacement Paul Scully is pledging exactly the same amount.

Despite the intervening years, Mr Scully said that would still be enough to do the job.

“We believe the $25 million covers the cost of the upgrade including lifts,” Mr Scully said.

“We don’t expect it to go beyond $25 million. We’ve had some work done on it and we believe that is an accurate reflection of the cost of the upgrade of the station.”

Mr Scully added that the $25 million would appear in the first budget of a Labor government, should it win the March election.

“I am absolutely determined to see lifts built and Unanderra station and the upgrade done,” Mr Scully said.

He questioned Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward’s recent statements that the cost to upgrade Unanderra would be so much more expensive than at most other stations.

Mr Scully suggested this could be a sign the government was considering closing down Unanderra station to avoid the $20 million outlay.

Mr Ward laughed off such a suggestion, suggesting Mr Scully was “terrified” of losing the seat of Wollongong.

“Paul Scully is clearly delusional or he is panicking because of our strong Liberal candidate that we’ve announced,” Mr Ward said.

He branded the claims of closure as “absolutely ridiculous”.

“What evidence does he have to justify such an outrageous claim?”