A trio of South Coast politicians have paid tribute to the leadership of Barry O'Farrell.
Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock, Member for Kiama Gareth Ward and Member for Heathcote Lee Evans issued a joint statement. It read:
"When we came to government, we inherited a $55 billion state debt, a $30 billion infrastructure backlog and a $5.2 billion deficit – it has been the O’Farrell Government that have worked hard to turn this situation around.
"Whilst many may take advantage of today’s opportunity – we regard Barry O’Farrell as a Premier who has changed our state for the better.
"Since coming to office, Barry O’Farrell has held his Government to the highest standards – today he applied to those standards to himself.
"The Illawarra and South Coast has been the benefice of record funding from this Government – be it the Princes Highway, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven Hospitals, more nurses, teachers and police – we will continue to stand up and fight hard for our communities to ensure they have effective voices in State Parliament."