ZED Seselja has attacked The Greens announcement that they will commit $400 million to light rail in Canberra as being completely out of touch.

“We know that a clear majority of Canberrans do not support light rail and do not see it as a priority for our city,” Zed said.

“Instead of focussing on real issues, the Greens have chosen to support Shane Rattenbury and his Labor colleagues with their vanity project- light rail.

“The Greens have not made any announcements relating to health, education, the economy, roads or even anything substantial on the environment. Instead Christina Hobbs has decided the light rail is the number one priority for all of Canberra, clearly she is not talking to Canberra families.

“I have delivered solutions to these real local issues over the last few years including keeping 2000 jobs in Tuggeranong, 3000 jobs in Belconnen, a record $5 million for safer roads, $470,000 to help young people at risk of criminal or anti-social behaviour, $2.86 million for Ice treatment services, more opportunities for affordable housing and $76 million to clean up Lake Tuggeranong, Lake Ginninderra and Lake Burley Griffin. On top of that we have promised that a re-elected Liberal Government will be the first to move a full government agency to the Gungahlin Town Centre and invest in the future expansion of the Monaro Highway.

“This is the kind of investment people want to see for Canberra but clearly the Greens are living in fantasy land with their local colleagues.

“I’m extremely disappointed by this display of contempt by Christina Hobbs and the Greens and will be further making the case that only a Coalition Government will protect hard-working Canberrans.

“It is a clear choice on Saturday, voting for the Greens is voting for light rail.” Senator Seselja concluded.

The Greens have responded:

“The Greens have not made any announcements relating to health, education, the economy, roads or even anything substantial on the environment. Instead Christina Hobbs has decided the light rail is the number one priority for all of Canberra, clearly she is not talking to Canberra families.”

In response to these claims, ACT Greens senate candidate Christina Hobbs is listing each of her fully costed policy announcements for Canberra:

– Health and hospitals: http://www.actgreens.org.au/our_health
– Early childhood education and care: http://www.actgreens.org.au/childcare-package
– Student support: http://www.actgreens.org.au/supporting_students
– Jobs in research and renewable energy: http://www.actgreens.org.au/renew-canberra
– Homelessness services: http://www.actgreens.org.au/homelessness
– Active transport infrastucture: http://www.actgreens.org.au/bikes-and-walking
– Mental health and suicide prevention: http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/greens-back-new-approach-suicide-prevention

Ms Hobbs described Senator Seselja’s attacks as disappointing.

“The Greens aren’t the ones obsessed with light rail. Unlike Senator Seselja, who has narrowly pursued his anti-light rail scare campaign, we have been laying out our plan for a fair and sustainable Canberra since day one.

“We made our light rail announcement today after weeks of initiatives on education, childcare, health, supporting our homelessness services, and improving our infrastructure. Just weeks ago, I launched our landmark Renew Canberra package to transition Canberra’s economy and create thousands of new jobs in research and renewable energy.

“It’s a shame that Senator Seselja has failed to engage in any debate or discussion with us on our ideas.

“I’m looking forward to putting these attacks behind me and getting back to work in the final days of the campaign.”