New Assistant Defence minister,
Michael McCormack
has given hope to Williamtown residents, as he aims to make the contamination at Williamtown RAAF base a top priority.
It comes as Defence minister,
Marise Payne
refuses to respond to the Senate inquiry into the base, which found conditions to be a crisis to the local community.
Minister Payne has also refused to announce when the Federal Government will respond to the report.
“Having face-to-face engagements with people who are living the reality of this contamination is vital” says Newcastle MP
Sharon Claydon
, who welcomed the announcement from minister McCromack.
 |
| McCormack first entered Parliament in 2010, representing the seat of Riverina, NSW |
It’s been months since the initial announcement of contamination, which has seen local businesses hampered by loss of business, while fishing organisations have had little to no income since late last year.
Claydon has also advised minister McCormack to see the effects first hand, and not in Canberra.
“Have some discussion with the community group leadership … to really find out what is the most appropriate means of communicating with as many residents and effected business as possible.”
“It’s not good enough to just lob up in Newcastle with a clear plan.”
“He needs to hit the ground running.”
McCormack was sworn in as Assistant Defence minister earlier today, along with a slew of Nationals MPs, including
Barnaby Joyce
as Deputy Prime Minister, and
Alan Tudge
, who replaced Stuart Robert as Human Services minister.
Image courtesy of
Alex Ellinghausen, via the Sydney Morning Herald (
LINK
).