TAMWORTH MP Kevin Anderson has viciously defended claims he promised $43 million for the Tamworth university campus, as he and independent Mark Rodda traded verbal blows at last night's candidate forum.
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Cr Rodda said he was happy with the $26.6 million the state government had committed to the University of New England's proposal, but would have been "ecstatic for $43 million, which was in fact promised" - to which Mr Anderson injected, shouting "that's not true" multiple times.
"It is true, and I think we're being short changed," Cr Rodda said.
"As [Tamworth] councillors, we were advised that we were promised $43 million from the state, and we were advised to keep quiet about it."
Mr Anderson again interrupted a number of times, shouting "show me the promise" and "prove it".
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"[The $43 million] was never promised, it was an application for funding - we hope every application gets up, but sometimes we are not so fortunate," Mr Anderson said, once he got the microphone back.
Other than the heated exchange, the Town Hall forum was civil, with candidates answering a variety of questions from the community pre-selected by the Tamworth Business Chamber, who organised the event.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Jeff Bacon revealed he would be preferencing Cr Rodda - however, the independent said he couldn't return the favour.
"I need to follow independents of the past and I will not be preferencing anyone on my how to vote card," he said.
Mr Anderson said he too would not be preferencing anyone, while Country Labor's Stephen Mears and the Greens Robin Gunning said the decision was being made by their respective parties.
Water infrastructure was a big topic of discussion, with Mr Anderson pitching to upgrade Chaffey Dam by 20 per cent.
However, Mr Bacon said for long-term security Dungowan Dam which is owned and operated by Tamworth Regional Council, had to be expanded.
There was also plenty of talk about how candidates would spent the more than $4 billion from the sale of the Snowy Hydro.
Both the Coalition and Labor have committed to spending on regional NSW infrastructure projects.
Jamieson Murphy
Newcastle Herald news director and business reporter. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Newcastle Herald news director and business reporter. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
