Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy Affordability) Share this | Hansard source

Since being re-elected in May 2022, it has been a really amazing three years working alongside the community of Lindsay for our fair share. There have certainly been a lot of fights along the way—that is, fighting against what the Albanese Labor government is trying to do to my community when it comes to ripping away infrastructure funding and having a complete disregard for the people who live there.

Together the people of Lindsay and I have continued to fight against the Albanese Labor government's go-slow on Dunheved Road. The Labor Party promised to fast-track the upgrade of Dunheved Road, and they did this during the 2022 election campaign to try to win the seat. However, it is now two years behind schedule—a broken promise to the people of Lindsay.

We've also fought against cuts to Mulgoa Road and semirural roads leading to the Western Sydney airport. The government just doesn't understand the coalition's vision for our new airport and the opportunities it will bring to the people of Western Sydney. We need investment in the roads that will connect Western Sydney to our new airport. We want Mulgoa Road finished, as committed to by the Albanese Labor government. It is not right that they have taken away funding to finish the job properly. Thank you to everyone who has been vocal about restoring funding for this vital project to decongest our roads around Glenmore Park, Regentville and Jamisontown.

Our community has been frustrated—and that's probably a mild way to put it—on the issue of flight paths to and from the Western Sydney airport. Since the Labor government came into office, people have had nothing but contempt from this government, or disregard for what is right. The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government put out a midnight media release rather than coming to Penrith and speaking to people about the impacts of the flight paths on our community. We are the most impacted electorate. There were, of course, beneficial changes for the Blue Mountains, represented by Labor. These decisions should not be political but based on strong community consultation.

On a positive note, there have been many great community events, including celebrating the Luddenham Show, the Penrith Christmas tree lighting and so much more. We have had rallies on the Voice in St Marys and roundtables on women's health, small business, manufacturing and housing. A highlight was restoring the Emu Plains Anzac Day ceremony alongside the Emu Plains Lions, the Nepean Historical Society, Penrith RSL members, the Girl Guides, Emu Plains churches and our piper, Tim Badger. I will always fight for our amazing community, from Londonderry to Luddenham and Regentville to Colyton.

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