Labor MP's Urged to Reject V8 Race Legislation

Monday, 20 October 2008 22:32

TEC Director Jeff Angel said “The willingness of many Labor MPs to cross the floor of Parliament was the deciding factor in stopping electricity privatisation in NSW. Labor MPs now have the chance prevent the destruction of Sydney Olympic Park’s crucial environmental and open space values and the waste of up to $90 million in taxpayers’ funds.”

With the proposed race currently prohibited by strong environmental protection measures in the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) Act, special legislation will be needed to by-pass the SOPA Act and allow the race to proceed.

 “It is clear the opposition to the V8 race was an important factor in the Ryde by-election result. Labor MP’s have the chance to save their government from itself and stop this deeply unpopular, unsustainable financially irresponsible proposal proceeding. If the legislation passes the Olympic Park V8 race will become a festering sore on the environmental and economic management records of the Rees Government,” Mr Angel said.

TEC has called Newington based MLC Helen Westwood and Blacktown MP Paul Gibson to lead the charge against the legislation.

“Ms Westwood and Mr Gibson have both publicly stated opposition to V8 racing at Olympic Park and supported the retention of the event at Eastern Creek. The time has come for them to act on these convictions and persuade their colleagues to oppose the V8 race legislation,” Mr Angel said.