All aboard the ‘Freedom Train’
All aboard the ‘Freedom Train’
April 03, 2008
Section: News
Named the ‘Freedom Train’ by the Wollongong Against Corruption (WAC) community group, the 10.30am rail service left Dapto station on Tuesday with a passionate group of residents on board for a protest outside NSW Parliament.
Rallying against the “systemic corruption” that has tarnished the region’s reputation, the group was determined to make the State Government accountable in the wake of the Wollongong City Council sackings and the ICAC hearing.
WAC spokesperson, Paul Matters, said the group also wanted to bring to light the lack of transparency in the dealings of the Shellharbour City Council.
Mr Matters said the WAC group was outraged at Premier Morris Iemma’s decision to place “three ALP government appointed over-paid bureaucrats” in the role of administrators until the elections.
“The ALP knows that if they go to the polls in September they will be crucified in Wollongong – that is the only reason Iemma has cancelled the elections,” he said.
“We need a full royal commission into corruption in Wollongong, Kiama and Shellharbour.
“And we need the premier to reinstate Wollongong’s September elections.”