Premier 'proud' of Allianz Stadium rebuild as campaign changes route
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she is "proud" of her government's stadiums policy, as she changed campaign tactics and launched her first vigorous defence of the $730 million rebuild of Allianz Stadium.
In a last-minute change to her campaign schedule, Ms Berejiklian toured the new Western Sydney Stadium at Parramatta on Friday, where she stressed that investment in sporting facilities wasn't an "either/or proposition".
"I want the best schools, the best hospitals, the best roads, the best public transport system – and the best stadiums. The people of NSW deserve nothing less," Ms Berejiklian said.
"What we're saying as a government is that it doesn't have to be an either/or proposition.
"I'm incredibly proud of every single project we have."
Ms Berejiklian's defence comes one day after a disastrous press conference in which she avoided mentioning the word "stadium" and refused to confirm when demolition works would begin on Allianz Stadium.
The government's policy to knock down and rebuild the Moore Park stadium has emerged as a defining flashpoint in the state election campaign, with voters to go to the polls in a fortnight.
Labor leader Michael Daley, who has campaigned on a platform of "schools and hospitals before stadiums", revived the issue this week when he vowed to sack the powerful board of the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust, which manages Allianz Stadium.
Mr Daley has said, if elected, he would force the trust to take out a multimillion loan to proceed with the rebuild.
More to come.