Voters in St George have been promised millions of dollars for sporting, medical research, environmental and community projects in the final days of the federal election campaign.
New synthetic football fields have been promised by both major parties as they woo the area’s vast sporting community.
Labor made a late pitch to the Greek community, promising a Shorten government would provide almost $1.2 million for Greek cultural events and community infrastructure.
Opposition spokeswoman on Citizenship and Mulitculturalism, Michelle Rowland, made the announcement with Labor candidate for Barton, Linda Burney, at Earlwood.
“Labor recognises the vibrancy and importance of Greek Australians to broader society, the need to provide appropriate resources to support the community,” Ms Rowland said.
Ms Burney said, “I welcome the commitment from Bill Shorten and Labor, which will help support a community that has contributed so much to Australian society and multiculturalism.”
The commitment includes a $100,000 contribution to the Greek Festival of Sydney, $150,000 to upgrade Earlwood's Greek Orthodox Community Home for the Aged, $250,000 for community outreach services and $150,000 to support 30 extra out of school-hours care positions.
Federal Treasurer and Cook MP Scott Morrison promised $1.4 million for environmental projects, including completion of a new seawall in Kogarah Bay.
Liberal MP for Barton Nickolas Varvaris promised a re-elected Coalition government would provide $4 million for St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation.
He also pledged $2 million for an upgrade, including a synthetic field, at J Graham (McCarthy) Reserve, Rockdale and $250,000 for Kingsgrove Colts Junior Rugby League Football Club facilities at Beverly Hills Park.
Earlier, Mr Varvaris promised CCTV cameras for Brighton-Le-Sands, Wolli Creek, Kogarah, Carlton and Allawah shopping precincts.
Linda Burney said Labor was committed to providing $4 million to upgrade sporting facilities in St George collectively through federal, state and local government channels. Ms Burney said this would deliver four synthetic football fields by 2019.
State Labor MPs in the area would provide funds through NSW Government community and sporting grants in which they were “fairly influential”, she said.
Ms Burney said she would like to see groups come together to decide priorities.
Ms Burney said, if the won Barton but the Coalition was returned to office, she would maintain pressure on the government to honour the promises made by Mr Varvaris.
Mr Varvaris said his commitments would be delivered by a Coalition government even if he was not reelected.
He said the reason he delayed renominating for Barton was he was waiting on funding guarantees for his electorate.
Mr Varvaris said, “People think my seat is lost, which is fair enough, although I am still optimistic.
“But I wanted to ensure the electorate came out a winner, whether or not I am re-elected.
”When I went into government I said this area had been overlooked for far too long because it had been a safe Labor seat.
“I wanted to ensure certain things were addressed before I renominated, and I was waiting for them to come back to me.”