Mr Borger has said that many of those people who are opposed to forced public housing developments in their streets are “narrow-minded” and “hiding their real reason for protesting behind a list of supposedly legitimate issues.”

‘These are not “supposedly” legitimate issues,” said Mr Baldwin.

‘These are very legitimate issues which have been identified not just by residents but also by councils – which have conveniently been bypassed in the decision-making.’

The issues raised include a lack of parking space for tenants; consequent parking congestion on the street which could lead to unsafe environments for pedestrians; lack of nearby public transport for public housing tenants; lack of space for ambulance access within these unit blocks; and lack of public consultation.

Mr Borger has said NSW Labor has relied “heavily on local council and neighbourhood consultation” in regards to the 505 public housing developments across NSW which are being paid for by the Rudd Labor Government’s stimulus package.

‘This is simply false,” said Mr Baldwin.

‘One such development in my electorate is at 5a Kenrose Street, Forster. The NSW Labor Government organised one meeting with Great Lakes Council regarding this public housing project – but Council’s planners weren’t even given the building plans to look at!”

‘I call on both the State and Federal Labor  Governments to actually stop and listen to those people who are objecting to these inappropriate developments.

‘For Mr Borger to dismiss the concerns of constituents and brand them “narrow-minded” is insulting.

‘It shows his arrogance to the people who elected him and proves how out of touch he is with his portfolio.’