‘Don't use it': NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison grilled over $50m splash on neighbourhood bridge

News.com.au

2 days ago

Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison has denied any conflict of interest over a $50m bridge project near to her Maitland home in NSW's Lower Hunter region during a heated exchange in budget estimates.
The duplication to Thornton Bridge received a boost earlier this year with the government promising a further $35m to the project on top of an existing $15m allocation, as part of its Regional Roads Fund.
The committee was told on Tuesday the project accounted for about a sixth of the fund, which is funding more than 20 remote and regional projects, but is now subject to a review by the Auditor-General.
The bridge became a flashpoint between Nationals MLC Nichole Overall, opposition roads spokeswoman Natalie Ward and Ms Aitchison, who said: 'I don't have a conflict of interest in this at all.
'I am a resident of Maitland, and everyone knows that.
'I don't use that bridge to get to work or to use it to get to, to drop off kids to school. I don't use it to get to medical appointments.
'I very rarely use that access and the reality is there are more than 20,000 or 30,000 more people who live in that area.'
Ms Aitchison confirmed Premier Chris Minns knew 'where I live' when he announced the additional funding.
'Why did he not compel you to declare a conflict of interest?' Ms Overall asked.
In response, Ms Aitchison said: 'I make all delegations that are required of me'.
Asked what amount of use would constitute a need to declare a conflict of interest, Ms Aitchison said she would have to use it on a 'daily basis or to help me get to work'.
Ms Aitchison said told the committee the project began in 2010 before languishing under the former Coalition government.
It drew heated responses from the opposition, with Ms Overall stating: 'A $50-45m project, paid for from your ministerial regional roads fund that is currently being investigated by the Auditor-General.
'A project with no business case, no benefit cost ratio in your electorate.
'In fact, within cooee of your own home and no declaration of a conflict of interest even though such proximity could be perceived to have its obvious advantages.'
A business case for the bridge duplication is expected to be completed by February 2026.
During proceedings, Ms Aitchison dismissed suggestions that funding commitments were made predominantly in Labor seats.
'For the opposition to characterise this as only favouring Labor seats, that is absolutely ridiculous,' she said.
'I don't accept the premise it was actually around marginal seats because some of the seats had quite high margins.'
Ms Aitchison welcomed the audit, which would not examine the 'selection of projects' but the 'administration of grants'.
Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray confirmed the road and rail organisation would participate in the Auditor-General's review.
Ms Overall and Ms Ward regularly traded verbal blows with Ms Aitchison during hours of heated evidence on Tuesday.