Greens NSW MP and Transport spokesperson Dr Mehreen Faruqi has criticised the NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay for his insensitivity and condescension in dismissing residents and activists campaigning against wasteful toll road projects in Sydney.
Dr Faruqi said:
“Minister Gay’s callous remarks about the people in our community fighting against toxic toll road projects are condescending and ill-informed.
“The people organising against projects like WestConnex and NorthConnex are doing so because they believe these roads are not what Sydney needs in the 21st century. And they are right.
“Residents of our city – not just in the inner west, but throughout Sydney – are concerned about air pollution, poor public services, and ever-worsening congestion on our streets.
“The Roads Minister’s tired cliches about latte-sippers basically trivialise what are really serious issues for people: the air they breathe, the way they get around, and the accessibility of the services and amenities they need to live good, healthy lives.
“The Minister ought to pay heed to experts and the community who have valid concerns about the wasteful and out-dated toll road agenda of the NSW government. The rest of the world is building public and active transportation while NSW Government is persisting with their ‘addiction’ to 1950s-style transport planning,” she concluded.