Labor have again ignored the voice of the Tamworth electorate by refusing to let Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson debate the cancellation of the Regional Seniors Travel Card.

Mr Anderson said this was the second time Labor had prevented him from speaking on behalf of the electorate in the NSW Parliament, proving that they don’t want to listen to our seniors.

“The Regional Seniors Travel Card was a lifeline for our local seniors, boosting their travel budget and helping them get out to see friends and family, or to go to medical appointments,” Mr Anderson said.

“Labor broke the hearts of more than 1,580 local seniors who signed the petition to keep the card by cancelling the card in the NSW budget.

“Today we were due to debate the issue in the NSW Parliament, and I was ready to speak on behalf of our electorate.

“Labor gagged debate, refusing to let me speak and raise the concerns of the many people right across our region who have written to me, worried about how they would be able to balance the books moving forward.

“They know they’ve done the wrong thing in cancelling this card and severely disadvantaging regional seniors.

“The loudest opponents in the debate were city-based Labor MP’s who just don’t get it and treat our seniors with a lack of respect.

“Time and time again, regional MPs stood up to speak on behalf of their communities and Labor shut them down every time.

“We have a right to represent our communities – and our communities expect that of us – that’s why we were elected.

“Labor stopped us from doing so because they don’t want to hear the voice of the regions, which is a disgraceful reflection of their obsession with metropolitan seats.”