The Liberal Party says placing the Cronulla Sharks and St George leagues clubs in the same federal electorate highlights the flaws in proposed new federal electorate boundaries.
Objections lodged by the party’s state director Tony Nutt said extending the traditional Sutherland Shire seat of Cook across the Georges River into St George was an ‘‘extraordinary’’ and ‘‘fundamentally flawed’’ idea that would disconnect communities.
In a separate comment, Cook MP and Treasurer Scott Morrison stated his ‘‘strongest objection’’ to the proposal, which he claimed ‘‘would split my community and undermine the ability of any member for Cook to best serve their constituents by bolting together two unrelated communities separated by clear physical boundaries’’.
‘‘Cook and ‘The Shire’ are synonymous,’’ he wrote. ‘‘The electorate of Cook is the Shire electorate.’’
Under the draft boundaries, which are due to be finalised in February, Cook would gain all or parts of the suburbs of Kyle Bay, Blakehurst, Connells Point, Kogarah, Beverley Park, Kogarah Bay, Carss Park, Blakehurst, Sandringham, Sans Souci, Dolls Point, Ramsgate, Ramsgate Beach and Monterey.
The Liberal Party submission said, if approved, it would be the first time since 1922 a federal electorate would cross the Georges River.
It accused the electoral committee of being inconsistent by stating it was appropriate because Captain Cook and Tom Uglys Bridge were strong transport links while saying elsewhere in the report boundaries should not cross the Hawkesbury River and Sydney Harbour.
‘‘Residents in Taren Point and Sylvania don’t travel to Hurstville to shop as those in Blakehurst and San (sic) Souci do – they travel to Sutherland or Westfield Miranda,’’ the Liberal submission said.
‘‘The same applies to local educational facilities and sporting clubs.
‘‘In fact, and to further highlight the distinct different communities north or south of the Georges River, the committee’s proposed division of Cook that currently has the Cronulla Sharks Leagues Club in its existing boundaries, would now also include St Georges Leagues Club.’’
Mr Morrison said the proposed boundaries would also put St George Leagues Club in a different electorate to its home ground of Jubilee Oval, on the other side of Princes Highway.
The Liberal Party also criticised the proposed extension of the Barton electorate to the north take in a large party of Grayndler electorate.
In its submission, the Labor Party made no comment on proposed changes to Cook and Barton.
Do you agree with the Liberal Party’s objections?
