The Nationals Member has rounded on Mr Shorten for not mentioning the Coffs Harbour Pacific Highway bypass – a project committed to by the Coalition on Tuesday night.

“Tonight Bill Shorten gave his Budget Reply speech, where he spent 30 minutes detailing Labor’s reckless spending plan to the Parliament, but not once did he even mention the Coffs Harbour Bypass,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

“The Labor Party was given a clear opportunity to commit funding to the Coffs Harbour Bypass, and they failed to do so. It didn’t even rate a mention, amongst a litany of city-based infrastructure projects.”

But Mr Woodward had nothing but praise for Mr Shorten’s plan – saying there was a clear point of difference between the two major political parties.

“As I sat watching Bill’s speech, I was taken by just how good it was in terms of hitting the key things that need doing now and for the future. These are the things people are talking about. And these are things you can’t argue against,” Mr Woodward said.

“The people of Cowper will have a clear choice at the next election - giving big business and the banks an $80 billion tax cut - or under Labor getting bigger, better and fairer tax cuts as well as restoring funding to schools, TAFE and universities and hospitals and Medicare.

”You can’t argue against some of the things Bill announced last night: bigger, better and fairer tax cuts for 10 million working Australians; scrapping upfront fees for 100,000 TAFE students who choose to learn the skills that Australia needs; sending 200,000 more people to uni and, an extra $2.8 billion in funding for more beds and shorter surgery wait times.

But Mr Hartsuyker was having none of it.

“My Labor opponent (Mr Woodward) likes to talk a big game. He puts out press release after press release on the Coffs Harbour Bypass, but it seems he can’t put his money where his mouth is,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

“It’s time for less talk, and more action from Mr Woodward and Labor. Show us your plan for the Coffs Harbour Bypass.

“This is a $1.2 billion project that will deliver more jobs and economic growth for the Mid North Coast. It will deliver improved road safety, and better transport infrastructure for travellers and freight movers alike.”

But this afternoon, Mr Woodward released a statement, giving a Labor commitment to funding the Coffs bypass.

”The commitment to the Coffs Harbour Bypass was announced today by the Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Stephen Jones,” Mr Woodward said.

“While welcoming the need for a Coffs Harbour Bypass, the biggest disappointment is that it is starting in three calendar years’ time and not next year.”

Mr Jones said: “The Coalition has promised this for many years. We welcome the fact that some money has been put aside. If there’s a change of government, which clearly we are working towards, we will back the Coffs Harbour Bypass. If we are in government, that will proceed. If the money has been put in the budget, that project will proceed on our watch.”