The New South Wales opposition leader pitched for the footy fan and book worm vote as he announced more than $100m for libraries and NRL excellence centres.
On a subdued day on the campaign trail, Luke Foley announced $55m for 10 centres of excellence linked to the National Rugby League, while standing rather happily next to Anthony Minichiello, a former player for the Sydney Roosters, the team Foley barracks for. Also flanking him for maximum political safety were Greg Inglis from the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Aaron Woods of Wests Tigers.
Foley said: “NSW is the traditional heartland of rugby league. Labor’s investment will see fantastic facilities built for the benefit of the whole community.”
“The benefits of sport to our young people is widely known and Labor is pleased to support the great work the game is doing in local communities. NRL teams form an integral part of our community, and these facilities across the state will help rugby league clubs roll out community programs.”
The $55m is part of a public-private partnership with 10 centres of excellence estimated to cost $180m.
Foley made the announcement in the electorate of Maroubra which Labor hangs on to by its fingernails on a margin of 2.3% – a margin set to increase from the so-called “correction” in this election after the huge swing against Labor in 2011.
The next stop for Foley was Menai in the newly created seat of Holsworthy, which is notionally Liberal held, in the afternoon where he announced a $50m public library infrastructure fund.
“Public libraries are treasure troves in our community. We’ve all experienced the delight of getting lost for hours in a good book,” Foley said.
“My vision is for NSW public libraries to be the most modern and best-equipped in the nation.”
The program would fund upgrades to library facilities and new equipment.
Meanwhile, the premier, Mike Baird, spent the day in Newcastle and the Hunter valley spruiking his party’s credentials when it came to responsibly handling coal seam gas mining.
