Cr Chaffey backed his local member when telling Namoi Valley Independent of his excitement to see six new courses included at Gunnedah TAFE in semester two this year.

“It is terrific to see the state government announce more great developments for Gunnedah TAFE,” Cr Chaffey said.

“We have been working very hard with stakeholders and TAFE NSW to use the state government’s funding to best assist the Gunnedah shire and what skills we require.”

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Cr Chaffey said the latest announcement helped refute questions Mr Mookhey raised recently about projects in Gunnedah receiving sufficient funding from the recent NSW budget.

“It would appear to me that these queries are quite simply political grandstanding because there is an election coming up next year,” he said.

“I certainly don’t want to weigh in on state-based politics, it’s of no interest to me and frankly I think it’s of no interest to our community for the grandstanding that is going on.

“I have to say the comments made by Mr Mookhey of the funds that are rolling into our shire – in my time in this role, I have to applaud the state government and in particular our local member Kevin Anderson, who is here regularly and has immersed himself into this community and is delivering for our community.”

Mr Anderson said Mr Mookhey’s comments were not surprising.

“What they will do is throw hand grenades wherever they can because they know and are pretty upset with the fact we are delivering,” Mr Anderson said.

“We are absolutely doing everything we can to make sure Gunnedah gets it fair share and that is evident in our announcements made [on Thursday] for both Gunnedah TAFE and Save our Species [native wildlife program].”

Namoi Valley Independent contacted Mr Moohkey’s office for comment but did not receive a response before deadline.