Response from Penny

Penny has responded to our campaign. In her response, she refuses to change her position on WestCONnex, sticking firmly to her pre-election commitment (and current NSW ALP policy) to build two-thirds of it and extend the M4 all the way to the city. She completely ignores the argument we have made about breaking her election commitment not to return to the Legislative Council. And for good measure she throws in a bit of deflection, requesting to focus attention on the Liberal party and the Greens. See below for her very disappointing response, to which I will respond soon. At this stage it appears that she has no respect for honest democracy. Regards, Andrew Chuter ----- Dear Andrew Thank you for your email & ongoing consideration of my position regarding Westconnex. Nothing has changed in relation to the position I articulated in the lead up to the 2015 election. This position remains Labor policy. For my views on the St Peters Interchange see this article. http://www.smh.com.au/comment/westconnex-potholes-in-sydneys-route-to-gridlock-20141108-11j8ho.html I also note the Liberal Government's complete lack of transparency & accountability in relation to this project. You will note that I am no longer Labor's transport spokesperson. This means that by convention public comment regarding these issues lies primarily with the opposition spokesperson. I am not in a position to oppose all three stages of Westconnex as this is not Labor policy. May I suggest that you continue to work with Jenny Leong who has committed to stopping Westconnex altogether. I hope that you hold her to that commitment. Given your ongoing misgivings about my position, may I also suggest that you would be better directing your activism towards Duncan Gay & the Baird Government. They are the people who are building this project. Regards Penny Sharpe