By XAVIER SMERDON
OUTSPOKEN Liberal MP Bernie Finn has attacked a western suburbs advocacy group, calling for an inquiry into its funding.
Speaking in Parliament earlier this month Bernie Finn described LeadWest, a group that lobbies State and Federal governments for policy changes, as simply a front for the Labor Party.
“I have been watching LeadWest for about six years now, and whilst impressed with the objectives, I am not seeing a lot of action as a result of those said objectives,” Mr Finn said.
“Replicating what councils already do on a daily basis is the kindest description of what LeadWest activities do.
“There is a view in Melbourne’s West that LeadWest is just an extremely well-funded organisation to provide an independent third-party endorsement for the Labor Party.”
LeadWest CEO Anton Mayer told Star he was “confused” by Mr Finn’s “frivolous comments”.
“I think Mr Finn just fails to understand what it is we do,” Mr Mayer said.
“I’m intrigued by the timing of his comments because they have coincided with when we did an assessment of the social impact of the Liberal Government’s cuts to TAFE funding.”
Mr Finn called on the Minister for Local Government to launch an inquiry into LeadWest’s funding.
“I am deeply concerned at the huge amounts of ratepayers funds that possibly are being wasted, and I ask the Minister to conduct an inquiry into the funding of LeadWest by western suburbs councils,” he said.
“Residents need to know if they are getting value for money from this particular investment.”
On 3 May this year however the Minister for Roads, Terry Mulder, praised comments made by LeadWest supporting his view on Sunshine level crossings.
