NSW: Anger good, swearing bad over the Cross City Tunnel

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2006
NSW: Anger good, swearing bad over the Cross City Tunnel

EDS: Attention to language in second and ninth pars



By Paul Carter

SYDNEY, Feb 11 AAP - It's OK to get angry over Sydney's Cross City Tunnel but not to
swear when doing so, according to the NSW premier and the state's opposition leader.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma apologised again today for calling the Cross City Tunnel's
new chief executive a "fuckwit" during a private word with Victorian Premier Steve Bracks
in Canberra yesterday.

But the Labor leader said he while he was sorry for swearing, he stood by the angry
sentiment behind it.

"I shouldn't have used the swear word, I apologised for that," Mr Iemma told reporters
today in Sydney today.

"I don't apologise for the sentiment expressed - my anger at the arrogant and out of
touch way in which the new CEO simply dismissed the issues around the Cross City Tunnel."

At his first press conference on Thursday, Graham Mulligan said CrossCity Motorway
Pty Ltd would not reduce the $3.56 toll nor reverse traffic changes around the 2.1km inner-city
tollway which have angered many motorists.

While Mr Iemma was awaiting the start of a COAG media conference in Canberra yesterday,
he was chatting to his Victorian counterpart Steve Bracks.

Without realising that microphones were open, Mr Iemma responded to a question from
Mr Bracks about issues he needed to deal with in NSW.

"Today? This fuckwit who's the new CEO of the Cross City Tunnel has ... been saying
what controversy? There is no controversy."

The comment was picked up by microphones and was subsequently broadcast.

Mr Iemma, who has not apologised personally to Mr Mulligan, apologised after making
the remark yesterday, and reiterated that apology today.

Opposition Leader Peter Debnam said today Mr Iemma's language was inappropriate for a premier.

"But it's great to see the premier finally feeling the anger and frustration that everybody
else has felt over the tunnel for the past six months, but he is the only one who can
do anything about the anger by reclaiming the roads and renegotiating the contract," Mr
Debnam told reporters today in Sydney.

"He can do that today."

But Mr Iemma said the only power he had to tackle problems with the tunnel was that
of persuasion.

"I'm more than happy to go in to fight for motorists to get a better deal," Mr Iemma said.

"And that's what we'll continue to do. We've got the power of persuasion.

A spokesman for CrossCity Motorway Pty Ltd was unavailable for comment today.

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KEYWORD: IEMMA NIGHTLEAD

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