West Australian transport Minister Rita Saffioti has labelled the federal Liberals as an 'out-of-tune government' after Canning MP Andrew Hastie pledged $25 million towards the proposed Lakelands Train Station.
Joined by the federal minister for cities, urban infrastructure and population Alan Tudge, Mr Hastie made the announcement at a community meeting in Lakelands on Monday afternoon.
Ms Saffioti hit out at the MPs over the cash splash stating it was "another embarrassing promise" from the party.
"There is a pattern of funding shortfalls in Mr Tudge's "Oops, I did it again" tour of Western Australia and people of the Peel region have started blocking their ears to this out-of-tune government," Ms Saffioti told the Mandurah Mail.
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This is not the first time the West Swan MP has spoken out over their support for the station.
Ms Saffioti labelled a $10 million commitment by prime minister Scott Morrison to the station on March 8 as a "mockery" and a "shallow commitment".
"First the prime minster promised funding for a fraction of a train station, now Mr Hastie and Mr Tudge are trying to milk another announcement with another fraction of a train station," she said.
"Perhaps after a few more visits, they will have enough funding to actually build it."
While delivering the announcement on Monday, Mr Hastie criticised the state government's decision to prioritise a site in Karnup over the one in Lakelands.
"Meanwhile, WA Labor is ignoring our community and calling Lakelands a station that 'no one needs'. If you want someone to fight for you, to get it built in the coming years - I'm your man. I'll make sure that Labor eventually submit to people power," he told onlookers.
Mr Hastie referred to the comments made by WA tourism minister Paul Papalia against a proposed Lakelands station in state Parliament on March 13.
Interjecting in debate, the Warnbro MP labelled Lakelands as "a train station that no one needs".
Speaking to his constituents on Monday, Mr Hastie said he would now look to the state government to put money forward to fund the rest of the station.
"Our funding is in place - all we need is the WA government to get on board and commit the final funding to this critically needed project," Mr Hastie said.
Ms Saffioti said "sadly, it's the same old story for Lakelands".
"If they were actually serious about building it, they would have put significant funds to construct it long ago. The fact is, the only real money they put towards it was the $10 million that ended up in the Budget," she said.
There is a pattern of funding shortfalls in Mr Tudge's "Oops, I did it again" tour of Western Australia and people of the Peel region have started blocking their ears to this out-of-tune government.
- WA transport Minister Rita Saffioti
"Minister Tudge was also out yesterday announcing separate token gesture in the northern suburbs - a measly contribution towards a freeway widening that wouldn't even cover half the construction.
"This latest visit from Minister Tudge is turning into a tour of Liberal Party regrets of projects they failed to fund during six years of government."
Mr Hastie's rival in the upcoming federal election, Labor candidate Mellisa Teede, said the announcement was "an empty promise" and a "token grab for votes".
"Labor's investment in METRONET is $2 billion - $400 million more than Scott Morrison is prepared to spend on public transport infrastructure in Western Australia," she said.
"The state government's METRONET team is already working on a business case for Lakelands and Mr Hastie and Mr Morrison know this.
"Federal Labor is working with the McGowan Government to deliver critical infrastructure projects - like our commitment to build a $32 million dollar multi-level car park at Mandurah Station.
"Only Labor can be trusted to deliver on public transport in Western Australia."
What are your thoughts on the proposed Lakelands Train Station? Send the Mandurah Mail team a letter via editor.mandurahmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Follow Caitlyn Rintoul on Twitter via @caitlynrintoul.
